How do you keep chinch bugs out of your yard?

Use spot treatments where chinch bugs are restricted to isolated areas of the lawn. Treat the off-color turf and all surrounding infested areas. Inspect the site every 3 to 5 days for at least weeks to determine if the infestation is under con- trol. Spot treatments help prevent environmental contamination.

When is the best time to treat chinch bugs?

The damage from chinch bugs is greatest in July and early August. Right now is a good time to treat for both chinch bugs and grubs, because one application of the same insecticides (imidacloprid, clothianidin, or thiamethoxam) works very well for both pests.

Depending on the area you’re located in and the type of climate your area has, chinch bugs begin to become active in the early spring, but they are the most active and destructive during late June–September when weather is warmest. Most people start to see visible damage around the beginning of August.

To do what you can to avoid chinch bugs infestations, here are five things to know.

1. Keep grass long. “Don’t cut your lawn so that it looks like a putting green, the chinch bugs love that,” said Gordon. …
2. Water heavily — but not too often. Chinch bugs like dry grass. …
3. Aerate lawn in spring. …
4. Use soap to get rid of chinch bugs.

Jul 29, 2016