Thursday, April 19, 2012

What Are Chinch Bugs?

Chinch bugs are a complex of three different species within the Lygaeidae family. Mature chinch bugs are approximately one-fifth of an inch long. They are black with white wings folded over their backs. When temperatures reach 70 degrees, the insect mates. Laying eggs over a two to three week period, the female can lay as many as 500 eggs on the roots, stems, leaves, leaf sheaths or crevices and protected areas of the grass.

Young chinch bugs, called nymphs, are yellow upon hatching and will mature in four to six weeks. At maturity, they turn red and have a light colored band across their abdomens. With each molt, nymphs more closely resemble the adults. There are 2 to 4 generations per year.

Chinch bugs cause serious damage in the thick turf of lawns and golf courses in Orlando and the surrounding cities. Their piercing-sucking mouthparts allow them to will feed by inserting their slender beak into the grass. As the chinch bug sucks the plant juices, it releases a toxin that causes yellowish to brownish patches in turf. In many cases, dying or dead areas of a lawn can signal the presence of this pest. Proper pest control can help avoid infestations.

If you have chinch bugs, contact Miller Enviro-Care. With decades of experience in controlling and preventing lawn pests in the Central Florida area, Miller Enviro-Care will maintain a regular pest control schedule to prevent pest damage and expensive sod replacement costs.

Miller Enviro-Care has over 30 years of combined experience in Pest Prevention, Termite Protection, Irrigation Systems, Sod Supply and Lawn Care Solutions. Based in Oviedo, we are in business to protect the health, food, property and quality of our environment for customers throughout the Orlando area including, but not limited to Winter Springs, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Maitland, Lake Mary, Sanford, Apopka and Winter Park.

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