CHINCH BUGS

PROBLEM:  the grass wilts, turns yellowish brown, dries out, and dies in sunny areas and along sidewalks and driveways.  To check for chinch bugs, select a sunny spot on the edge of an affected area where yellow grass borders healthy green grass.  Cut out both ends of a tin can.  Push one end of the can 2 to 3 inches into the soil.  Keep it filled with water for 10 minutes.  Black to brown insects with white wings, 1/8 to ¼ inch long, float to the surface in 5 to 10 minutes.  Pink to brick-red nymphs with a white stripe around the body may also be numerous.

ANALYSIS:  Chinch bugs (Blissus species).  These insects feed on many kinds of lawn grasses, but St. Augustine grass is a favorite.  Both the adults and the nymphs suck the juices out of the blades.  At the same time, they inject a poison that causes the blades to turn brown and die.  Heavy infestations may completely kill a lawn in several days.  These sun and heat loving insects seldom attack shady lawns.