Don't panic!
Hairy Chinch bugs are tiny black (red when young) insects that infest dry grass and feed by sucking the sap from the crown and stems of grass. The damage is noticeable when the grass becomes dry and yellow. During July and August, you can find Hairy Chinch Bugs by looking closely at the affected zones. From mid to late August, Hairy Chinch Bugs is easy to identify because they move quickly in the soil and, on hot days, you can find hundreds of them on the foundations of houses, on uni-stone, and even on pool liners. You can find Hairy Chinch Bugs in most lawns, but they are usually controlled by natural predators. They become harmful when the infestation reaches more than 150 bugs per square metre, which may occur during heat waves, particularly if the lawn is over-fertilized and cut too short.
To avoid infestations, keep the sol cool and leave the grass long (8 cm / 3 inches) and apply a thin layer of de compost in spring. Use only 100% natural fertilizers that release nitrogen slowly, since Hairy Chinch Bugs love soluble chemical fertilizers.
If you have a problem, seed with varieties of grass that are resistant to Hairy Chinch Bugs, since they tend to return year after year under the right conditions. You can choose ecological mixtures that are more resistant to Hairy Chinch Bugs and dryness, or grass containing endophytes (microscopic fungi that live inside certain plants and produce repulsive substances that give a bad taste for pests as chinch bugs and fruit worms), and clover or thyme which resists Hairy Chinch Bugs and dryness and heat. Planting trees will resolve the problem, since Hairy Chinch Bugs dislike shade. You can also simply replace grass with flower beds, shrubs, or arrangements of rock or uni-stone.
To control Hairy Chinch Bugs at the beginning of the season (June, July), natural soap-based insecticides (dishwashing soap or insecticidal soap) or botanical pyrethrin are effective when applied thoroughly and repeatedly, in 2 or 3 re-applications every 4-6 days. Keeping the area moist and recuperate rainwater and grey water in case of watering restrictions.
The good news is that at this time of the year, Hairy Chinch Bugs do not do serious damage, as the most damage is done by the immature nymphs (red or red/black), most especially during the month of July and then they disappear within a week to 10 days. What is troubling at this time is to realize the damage done and seeing the quantity of Hairy Chinch Bugs on walls and foundations. To control Hairy Chinch Bugs on structures, you can spray a solution of 6-10% liquid soap directly on the insects when you see them. A large part of the population will be destroyed by winter.
Specialists agree that it is impossible to control Hairy Chinch Bugs at this time, either with pesticides or natural solutions.
So it is better to put our energy into rebuilding the lawn so that it is thereafter more resistant to assaults of weather, drought, and pests.
For all questions concerning Hairy Chinch Bugs, grasses, or other problems with your lawn, contact the “Green Line” at 514-453-4980. For more information on alternatives to pesticides consult the website: www.cap-quebec.com
 SOS Hairy Chinch Bug- What you can do
Improve the quality of your soil
A rich soil makes your grass more resistant to pests
Add .5 to 1cm of compost annually
Recommended especially in spring or fall, and discouraged during heat waves or periods of drought!
Aerate your soil
Aerate your soil every 2 to 3 years, depending on the texture of the soil. More frequent aeration should be considered for claylike soil. Do this in spring or fall, when the soil is damp and but well drained.
Overseed
Spread different kinds of grass seed and especially those containing endophytes! Seed in the spring and/or fall, never during drought or heat waves! Ray-grass and fescue contain endophytes which resist Hairy Chinch Bugs! Diversity is the key to a strong, resistant lawn. Overseed annually to create a dense lawn which can also resist the assault from weeds.
Add lime
Add lime if your soil shows signs of acidity (wild strawberries, wood sorrel, mushrooms, etc.). Add agricultural or dolomitic lime on clay-like soil. In addition to improving the soil’s pH, lime brings calcium to the plants and also improves the structure of the soil.
Fertilize
Fertilize with a 100% natural fertilizer in spring and/or fall. Never fertilize when the temperature is above 25 degrees Celsius. |
Keep your grass long
Always keep your grass long (3 inches, or 8 cm tall). Long grass develops strong and long roots and holds more humidity in the soil. Leave the cut grass where it falls. Hairy Chinch Bugs dislike shade and humidity.
Eliminate sunny areas
Eliminate sunny areas by creating shade with trees or shrubs. Hairy Chinch Bugs prefer sunny, dry, and well-drained areas.
Reduce the size of your lawn
Fewer problems mean less maintenance. Replace your grass with other plants, such as ground covers, flower beds, trees and shrubs, or even inert objects, such as rocks or uni-stone, etc...
Plant clover and thyme in your grass
Hairy Chinch Bugs eat only grass, and a lawn is almost entirely composed of grass. To avoid problems with Hairy Chinch Bugs and to resist dryness, seed your lawn with clover, thyme, and other varieties that resist drought and Hairy Chinch Bugs.
Inspect or have your lawn inspected at the end of June
Immature (red) Hairy Chinch Bugs can be easily exterminated with ecological products permitted by the municipality in June or July when they cause the most damage. |
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