What You Didn’t Know About Chinch Bugs
October 7th, 2016
Working out in the garden, tending to your plants and shrubs, you notice that while everything else is blossoming, your grass is dying out in patches. Within a couple of days, the condition worsens and before you know it, the whole yard which was so lusciously green, is now barren. Along with the unexpected surprise, you are confused as to how it could have happened? Who is the culprit that has ruined your perfectly tended yard? Have you checked for chinch bugs?
Interesting Facts about
Chinch bugs are insects which are often responsible for different types of grass to die. There are some interesting facts about chinch bugs which you probably didn’t know and which will be a definite eyeopener for you.
What Do They Look Like?
Chinch bugs are small in appearance. These insects have a hard exterior body, and there are 2 pairs of wings which are folded over the back of the insect. The small chinch bugs have colored spotted combinations in colors of black, red and white.
The bugs showcase a variety of different colors throughout their early nymph as well as the later development stages.
How Big Are Chinch Bugs When They Start to Cause Serious Damage?
It would surprise many to know that the chinch bug species is only 1/8 to around 1/4th of an inch long, when they start to wreak havoc on crops and cause disastrous turf damage!
These very small insects use their tiny mouthparts to tear up and actually pierce the surface of the plant and feed on it by sucking on the plant juices.
How Do Chinch Bugs Damage Plants?
Both nymphs and adult chinch bugs cause serious damage to plants while feeding as these small insects inject a type of toxin into the plant that affects the ability of the plant to properly absorb moisture along with nutrients from the soil. The plant tissues, which are crucial for growth and survival, then start to wilt and become damaged. The result is grass which becomes yellow or brown and appears dead.
What Is the Natural Habitat of the Chinch Bugs?
Typically, the chinch bug species lives in natural habitats like weeds, agricultural crops, lawns and native grass. They cause serious damage to their habitat by feeding on it.
What Do Chinch Bugs Feed On?
Most chinch bugs prefer to feed on turf grass and have been noted to be partial to Kentucky bluegrass, red fescues, Bermuda grass, English ryegrass, bent grass, St. Augustine grass, and zoysia grass.
For assistance in removing chinch bugs form your property, contact Alford Wildlife today!
