Protecting Against Chinch Bugs
The best treatment is a preventative treatment of Triazicide granules in late May and again in August. After the granules are spread, be sure and water.
Chinch bug damage first appears as a slight yellowing of the St. Augustine like it is dry. Chinch bugs feed on the plant juices and dry the plant out.
To control them, water the St. Augustine thoroughly in the late evening, then spray the entire lawn area with Malathion at the recommended rate on the container. A repeat treatment may be needed 10-14 days later because of new chinch bugs hatching. The Granular treatments with Triazicide are more effective then spraying
Organic Method: “Eco Smart” is a good product to use for cinch bugs on St Augustine & Zoysia
Protecting Against Grubs
The damage is similar in appearance to chinch bug damage except areas of brown grass will not have any roots. You can lift grass from the ground because it will not be attached to the soil because the grub worms eat the root.
Preventative treatment is the best. We recommend Triazicide Granules, made by Spectracide; it can usually be found at your local garden shop or Home Depot/ Lowe’s. Treat when planting sod by applying the insecticide on top of the soil prior to planting to assure proper rooting. Treat again in late May and again in July/August with Triazicide granules. The insecticide must be watered in to kill the grubs while they are close to the surface of the soil feeding on the roots of the sod.
Organic Method: Apply Microlife Humates Plus 0-0-4 at a rate of 15 lbs per 1000 square feet upon observing grub worm activity. There are microbes contained in the Microlife that eat the eggs of the june bugs, preventing the grub worms from maturing. NO chemicals and you can apply “Eco Smart”, an organic insecticide that works.
