What’s eating my St. Augustine?

funkerama – posted 03 September 2005 08:42

Do you guys/gals think this is Chinch bugs or something else? Wanted to get some feedback as this is the first real issue I’ve had with my St. Augustine.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/wadefunk2003/album?.dir=/3e51&.src=ph&.tok=phgoEkDB.n5wRl6c

Pictures above should help.

Thanks,

Wade

AMCalla – posted 03 September 2005 10:29

Hi Wade

It certainly looks like the culprit is cinch bugs, but you will want to make sure. Do a search on the internet for them and get an idea of what they look like. They are very small and hard to find in the grass, but here is how you test for them.

Take a can (like a soup can) and cut both ends open to make a tube. At the edge of the dead areas where it is still green, hammer the can into the ground an inch or 2. Fill the can with water and slowly add water to maintain the level for about 5-10 mins. The bugs should float to the top of the water. If you see them, treat for them. It may take a couple of treatments about 7 days apart to control.

Aaron

cohiba – posted 03 September 2005 11:19

Aaron,

Great advice! We use a 2 gallon plastic bucket with the bottom cut out. A big coffee can works well too. We also add a few drops of dishwashing detergent to irritate the insects. This method will work on just about all surface feeder type insects. May also work with grubs. The key is just like you say: put the can in the edge of the good turf and that which is damaged.

Remember: Proper insect ID is essential to controlling the problem.

Good Luck……………………..

funkerama – posted 03 September 2005 16:10

Chinch bugs they are…darn bugs!!! I did the can thing and sure enough…there they came.

Thanks guys…now on to a solution

Wade

Superstar – posted 11 September 2005 22:47

It’s called benefical nematodes……