Chinch Bugs

sonofabeach · Post by **sonofabeach** » July 26, 2006 8:01 pm

Can anybody recommend a good chinch bug killer?
And would you recommend a spray application or spreader?

I've had some dying areas in my St Augustine grass lawn for some time now and I finally got out there just a few minutes ago and ripped some up and found chinch bugs. Even though I used to work lawn care I'd never actually seen a chinch bug so I had to verify it via google.
I had suspected something along the lines of chinch bugs or grub worms but now I know for sure.
About 2 weeks I put down some multi bug killer via spreader so I figured if there were any bugs they be dead by now.

Anybody went through the same thing or can recommed a certain brand of killer?

Post by **SMLCHNG** » July 26, 2006 9:15 pm

Never heard of 'em - so I looked it up!

Found this - don't know if it's helpful or not.

http://www.pestproducts.com/chinchbugs.htm

MelliJellyBean · Post by **MelliJellyBean** » July 26, 2006 9:17 pm

may i ask-what is a chinch bug??

Lightning Bolt · Post by **Lightning Bolt** » July 26, 2006 9:32 pm

When I watch Caddyshack, I always thought Carl Spackler (Bill Murray) was making it up when he said "chinch bugs"....

flyboy55 · Post by **flyboy55** » July 26, 2006 9:47 pm

You have no choice in this matter.

Quickly obtain 150 lbs of potassium nitrate fertilizer and about 10 gallons of kerosene (fuel oil) and mix them in a wash tub out in the lawn.

You will also need some way to ignite this mix (do you have any fireworks left over?). Move away from the tub and let er rip.

Chinch bug problem solved.

Homeland security should drop by soon after to ask what you did with the above ingredients.

Finsupinfla · Post by **Finsupinfla** » July 26, 2006 9:47 pm

Go to Lowe's or Home Depot, in the fertilizer area you'll find the stuff you need. Scott's makes it, its called Max Guard.

sonofabeach · Post by **sonofabeach** » July 26, 2006 11:14 pm

thanks ya'll,
I'm heading to Home Depot in the morning.
I'd seen the Scotts but was just wondering if anybody had any info on what's works great because I understand (thanks to the internet) that chinch bugs are resistant to some treatments and require a couple of applications.

btw
This is a chinch bug (they're around a 1/5 of an inch long)

and this is what they can do

Not my lawn although mine does have about the same amount of damage

conched · Post by **conched** » July 26, 2006 11:59 pm

Here is a pdf file from Texas Cooperative Extension.

http://tcebookstore.org/tmppdfs/13070135-L1766.pdf

It says Chinch Bugs are more resistant in other states than Texas, so it may not be simple to treat.

Make sure to check that you don't have multiple problems, since you mentioned grub worms.

For chinch bugs:
Products containing diazinon, chlorpyrifos
(Dursban®), or acephate (Orthene®) are suggested for
homeowner applications. Chinch bugs have been
reported with resistance to the above products in
some areas of Florida; however, this has not been
apparent in Texas. Where any of these products fail to
provide control, apply a synthetic pyrethroid such as
permethrin (e.g., Spectra-cide® Liquid Insecticide
Spray).

You may be over-fertilizing with the Scotts Maxguard stuff.

BayersAdvanced Complete Insect Killer contains imidichloprid.
http://www.bayeradvanced.com/lawn/produ ... &source=ga

With some of the Spectracide products you may be overtreating and killing everything...which may work for you.

http://www.spectracide.com/SpectrumBran ... odifyGuest

We've had to use this for grub problems:
http://www.spectracide.com/ProductCateg ... fGranules/

Hated to do it, but I still see some good bugs around too.

Island_Lullaby · Post by **Island_Lullaby** » July 27, 2006 12:18 am

MelliJellyBean wrote:may i ask-what is a chinch bug??

ditto?????????????

conched · Post by **conched** » July 27, 2006 1:11 am

Here is another product for the resistant chinch bugs.
Ortho® Bug-B-Gon® MAX® Lawn & Garden Insect Killer Concentrate

http://www.ortho.com/index.cfm/event/Pr ... 7517586697

It has the bifenthrin in it that the Scotts Max Guard has in it.

sonofabeach · Post by **sonofabeach** » July 27, 2006 1:11 am

Conched, this is what I used a couple of weeks ago.

It seems to have done alright in the backyard but the front must be where they are taking a stand

Thanks for the tips
Maybe I'll try a spray on tomorrow ..whoa!! today is tomorrow isn't it?

conched · Post by **conched** » July 27, 2006 1:33 am

Remember back in the days when we used to be able to kill them with TIDE and pick them out of the lawn?

Another good reason for Xeriscaping.

Make sure you don't try to use turfgrass in long narrow areas. Don't we all have those areas between the street and sidewalk??

pamesoo · Post by **pamesoo** » July 27, 2006 1:38 am

This thread is making me itchy!!

Skibo · Post by **Skibo** » July 27, 2006 8:57 am

All the good bug killers have been banned by the EPA. Diazanon (sp?) was my favorite. I hear DDT was quite effective back in the good old days.

flyboy55 · Post by **flyboy55** » July 27, 2006 10:16 am

sonofabeach wrote:Conched, this is what I used a couple of weeks ago.

You weren't planning on having children (or anymore sex) were you?

TOXICOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT:
The formulated products Spectracide Triazicide Brand Soil & Turf Insect Killer Granules and Spectracide Triazicide Brand Soil & Turf Insect Killer Concentrate The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) previously reviewed the toxicity of the active ingredient lambda-cyhalothrin for the pesticide products Commodore WP Insecticide and Warrior Insecticide. Lambda-cyhalothrin was mildly to moderately acutely toxic in laboratory animal studies and caused some toxic effects at low doses in chronic animal feeding studies. This chemical did not cause significant reproductive/developmental effects, but did cause some fetotoxicity.
The USEPA classified lambda-cyhalothrin as a Group D carcinogen.
An updated search of the toxicological literature found a study reporting a toxicological effect from lambda-cyhalothrin that had not been noted in the studies conducted for federal registration (the studies conducted for federal registration, however, do not generally assess these parameters). In this study, exposure to lambda-cyhalothrin for seven consecutive days caused reductions in mating behaviors (e.g., mounting, ejaculation) at both dose levels tested (63 and 100 mg/kg/day). This sexual dysfunction had a rapid onset, but was found to be reversible, even during the dosing period.

I'd wear a Level 4 biomat hazard suit while applying this stuff if I were you.

ToplessRideFL · Post by **ToplessRideFL** » July 27, 2006 10:17 am

Durasban (sp) did the job for my St Augustine back yard.....

Indiana Jolly Mon · Post by **Indiana Jolly Mon** » July 27, 2006 10:28 am

I believe they are similar to japanese beatles in that normal lawn pest stuff doesnt work. There is a product called Sevin that works on japanese beatles and says damn near anything else. You may want to look into that, otherwise you will try 4-5 different things that dont work and just end up doing more damage to your lawn.

FinzEast · Post by **FinzEast** » July 27, 2006 10:44 am

after year in the food-industry i've found that 409 works best for killing just about every bug out there.

conched · Post by **conched** » July 27, 2006 10:54 am

FinzEast wrote:after year in the food-industry i've found that 409 works best for killing just about every bug out there.

Good recommendation. Please read about IPM!!!

I should have made it plainer to first use the safest possible control, such as insecticidal soap (SAFER.)

Only use stronger treatments after trying physical and safer methods.

Those stronger treatments really should be avoided if possible and BE very careful to protect yourself and try not to use them often.

SharkOnLand · Post by **SharkOnLand** » July 27, 2006 11:28 am

FinzEast wrote:after year in the food-industry i've found that 409 works best for killing just about every bug out there.

And your lawn will be squeaky clean