Anyone having problems with these critters which seem to be a problem in Central FL? I mean chinch bugs? They seem to be a real problem for St. Augustine grass.

[villager99]

i originally had bahai grass but now that my yard has filled in with st. augustines i have a lawn pest control company treat it regularly . even so in very dry periods the cinch bugs will begin to take hold.

[nitehawk]

is it possible to put the new zoid (not sure of spelling) in - or will the next door yard with st augistine take over the zoid i understand the new zoid is not effected by the cinch bug

[villager99]

st augustine's is what my neighbors have it was popular when i built and it seems to spread everywhere. maybe folks will all switch once they get tired of repatching after cinch bug attacks. massey's does do a decent job but rains and associated ground molds do better at killing the bugs.

[garsha]

I just had our yard treated for the cinch bugs. Don't know alot about them. I will see how well the Massey treatment is. Not sure if they need to come back or if the one time treatment will take care of the problem.

[kennyb]

According to my lawn treatment company, who by the way are treating my lawn for those pesty bugs, say that Zoysia will eventually root out the St Augustine, but it might take a few years.

[Village Kid 2]

I have St. Augustine grass and had chinch bugs eat a few patches of grass last year. I found out in a hurry that a commercial lawn service was needed to stop them. The serviceman said they could have been brought in by my lawn guy as he mows lots of yards and they can cling to the blades. Anyway, I dug up the dead grass, put in some top soil and the grass filled in fairly quickly. Lucious lawn once again. I think I will keep the lawn service though (every other month) - too many critters.

Originally Posted by Village Kid

I have St. Augustine grass and had chinch bugs eat a few patches of grass last year. I found out in a hurry that a commercial lawn service was needed to stop them. The serviceman said they could have been brought in by my lawn guy as he mows lots of yards and they can cling to the blades. Anyway, I dug up the dead grass, put in some top soil and the grass filled in fairly quickly. Lucious lawn once again. I think I will keep the lawn service though (every other month) - too many critters.

Heard that from another source-- a garden person from Lowes-- that chinch bugs could be on lawn service blades. Also heard though that chinch bugs prosper with over-watering? That is to say, watering once a week for 40 minutes creates a good environment for chinch bugs, whereas twice a week for 20 minutes not so much??

[LG]

Our pest control company said the cinch bugs are becoming immune to the current sprays and they need to change to a more expensive new brand to have a chance............. NEED to spray for them

[oldecarguy]

one call to Bates and Poof----bugs gone

[chuckinca]

Just got a call from our lawn mower company. Said that they will start using a new chinch bug treatment this year. $120 treatment in the spring with a new and stronger chemical instead of $60 twice a year.

Does that seem about right for this service on a 7K SF lot?

[Barefoot]

I got tired of chinch bugs so replaced a lot of grass with river rock. I like it a lot.
(Kept some grass, though, for the dogs).

I have a great rock guy if anyone needs a name. Less expensive than going through a landscaping company.