How to Tell if You Have Chinch Bugs

You work hard to keep your lawn looking green and healthy, but Chinch Bugs could put all of your efforts to waste with their destructive turf eating habits. The damage caused by Chinch Bugs comes in the form of large patches of dead grass.

If you want to be certain that you have Chinch Bugs on your lawn, there are some ways to tell the difference between damage from Chinch Bug activity and other possible culprits.

Lawn Damage

A detailed inspection of your grass can give you the answers you are looking for to determine whether you have Chinch Bugs. Chinch bug damage typically forms large patches in a noticeable pattern. Damage will typically start near edges of concrete and work its way out. This is because Chinch Bugs prefer heat and harbor near hot concrete when temperatures are high.

If you see a dead patch of grass on your lawn, closely observe the edges of the patches where the discolored grass meets with the healthy green grass. Use your hands to pull back the turf and see if you can find any visible Chinch Bugs crawling on the soil surface.

Coffee Can Test

An alternative way to check for Chinch Bugs is what we call the "coffee can test." This is where you take an empty coffee can and hollow out both ends. Push the can 2 to 3 into the ground where you observed patches of discolored grass. Once that is done, you'll need to fill the can with water about 3/4th of the way with water.

Continue to fill with water and maintain the level for up to 10 minutes. While waiting, use a stick or ruler to stir and agitate the water. If Chinch Bugs are present on your lawn, they will float to the surface of the water.

Once you have confirmation that Chinch Bugs are present, you can move forward with a treatment program using our recommended products. You can view our written and video guide for step-by-step instructions on how to get rid of chinch bugs here.