Monitoring for Chinch Bugs

Chinch Bugs are very tiny, but can cause major damage to a lawn. The nymphal life stage of the chinch bugs life cycle is the most damaging.  They can be identified by their bright red colour highlighted with a horizontal white stripe across its back. The best place to monitor and look for active chinch bugs are across areas of the lawn where the stressed turf meets the healthy turf.  In order to find them you will have to get down on your hands and knees and spread the turf apart to examine the thatch layer.  If chinch bugs are present, you will see them (although very tiny) actively running along the surface of the soil and through the thatch.

A common monitoring technique for chinch bugs is the “flotation” of “coffee can” test.  Using a coffee can, remove both ends and insert into the soil.  Fill the can with water and count the chinch bugs that float to the surface.