The chinch bug, also known as the hairy chinch bug, is an insect that attacks turf by sucking sap from the crown and stem. When there’s a high concentration of chinch bugs in your lawn, non-uniform yellow patches appear. The first signs of infestation can be seen as early as the end of June, but the timing can vary according to temperature and rainfall. An upsurge in the number of bedbugs has been observed in various parts of the city in 2021.
Frequently asked questions
- How to recognize stink bugs?
- Adult chinch bugs are black with a white spot on the wing margin.
- It’s during the larval stage that bedbugs cause the most damage. Although the larvae are very small, its immature form can be recognized by its bright red color.
- How to spot bedbugs
- Scrape the soil at the base of the lawn and check for tiny red or black dots.
- Bedbugs give off a foul odor when crushed. If your lawn smells bad after you’ve walked on it, it may be due to a bedbug infestation.
- Close to the affected area, insert a tin can, open at both ends, to a depth of 5 cm.
- Fill the can with soapy water and scrape the floor inside.
- Wait 5 to 10 minutes, adding water if the level drops. Cereal bugs will float on the surface of the water.
- If you count between 5 and 10 bedbugs in different places, the infestation is serious enough to damage the lawn.
- How to prevent and control bedbugs
- Keep your lawn at a height of 7 to 8 cm (3 inches). A long lawn is more resistant to this species.
- Encourage biodiversity in your lawn. If you’re reseeding, opt for a mixture that’s resistant to insect pests, such as tall fescue or ryegrass.
- Stink bugs prefer sunny, dry soil. Planting trees and shrubs to create shade is therefore beneficial for your property.
- Use compost as a nutrient. On the other hand, synthetic fertilizers tend to release nutrients too quickly and encourage insect activity.
- Sprinkle the affected area with a mixture of water and dishwashing soap, about 1 teaspoon of soap to 1 liter of water. Allow 3 applications at about 6-day intervals.
Further information