Hairy chinch bugs suck sap from grass in summer, mostly in sunny, dry areas. They cause yellow then brown patches that spread despite watering. Unlike grubs, the turf stays firmly rooted. Deep watering, high mowing and overseeding with resistant grasses help a lot.
Chinch bugs, drought or grubs?
- Drought: the whole lawn yellows evenly and greens up after rain.
- Chinch bugs: irregular sunny patches that grow, turf well anchored.
- Grubs: dead patches, turf lifts like a carpet. See white grubs.
The can test
Push a can open at both ends into the soil at the edge of a yellow patch, fill it with water and wait about ten minutes. Small black-and-white insects floating up mean chinch bugs are present.
Protect your lawn
- Water deeply during hot, dry spells, following city rules
- Mow high, around 8 cm
- Reduce thatch with aeration
- Overseed with tolerant grasses such as some fescues: see overseeding
Yellow patches that keep spreading?
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