Pest control is a normal part of life in Orlando, Florida. Now that we’re getting into the warmer summer months there’s one particular bug you need to be on the lookout for to protect your lawn: the chinch bug.

These little critters are herbivores and are drawn to perennial plants. What does that mean for you? It means that any thick or dry grass on your property, especially during the hot Orlando weather, could be home to a colony of these unwanted bugs. They start feeding in late spring and early summer, and can cause significant damage to the plants and grass in your yard.

Fortunately there are pretty effective ways to handle these and destructive insects. Your first line of defense is to examine any brown or struggling patches of grass. See if you can find bugs crawling on grass blades or on the driveways and sidewalks of surrounding areas. Chinch bugs are hairy—so they’re pretty easy to identify. If you find yourself with an infestation, there are a few things you can do to keep it manageable.

Use Enhanced Turfgrass Seed

There’s a chemical called endophytes that introduce fungus in between your grass blades. Chinch bugs hate this type of chemical, and using it can help you eliminate your habitation of these unwanted pests. Just be sure to read the label thoroughly when you purchase it from your home and garden store—you won’t want to kill any pets or plants.

Try Insecticides

Regular garden insecticides can help cut down on full-grown chinch bugs, as well as their young nymphs. Most of the time the same chemicals that get rid of your ants, spiders, and moths can also be effective against hairy cinch bug pests. Be careful, however, when applying pesticides, as they can cause harm to any children or pets who may ingest them.

Leave it to the Professionals

Overwhelmed by hairy chinch bugs? Make sure to give us a call at Gato Lawn & Pest so we can come out and get your infestation under control so you can have your yard back.