How to Get Rid of Chinch Bugs From the House
There are three varieties of chinch bugs that belong to the Lygaeidae insect family. The bugs live in the thatch of lawns where they consume the sap of grass. In various locations in the southern United States, such as Florida, the southern chinch bug (Blissus insularis) becomes a pest in lawns and inside homes.
In summer, the insects cling to the sides of houses and can easily enter through crevices, doors and windows. To eliminate chinch bugs from being a pest inside the house, they must be controlled in the lawn.
Things You Will Need
- Vacuum
- Insecticide sprayer
- Fertilizer spreader
- Granulated chinch bug insecticide
- Liquid chinch bug insecticide
- Exterior caulking
- Caulk gun
Tip
Water the lawn before applying insecticides for the best results. When using granulated insecticides for chinch bug control, do not spread the granules into gutters, water supply areas or on sidewalks.
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Vacuum all areas of the home to remove chinch bugs. Focus on crevices, along windows and near doors. Dispose of the bugs from the vacuum promptly. Heavy infestations that are vacuumed up can begin to smell if left to decompose inside the vacuum.
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Seal all outside cracks and crevices using an exterior caulk and a caulk gun. Make sure there are no holes in window screens.
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Maintain proper lawn care by not allowing thatch to build up. Chinch bugs live and breed in excessive thatch buildup. Remove only 35 percent to 40 percent of the grass tips when mowing. Mow grass once a week for thatch control.
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Water the lawn frequently. Chinch bugs enjoy dry conditions to breed and thrive.
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Apply granulated chinch grass insecticide to lawns with a fertilizer spreader. Follow the instructions on the label. Water thoroughly after application. Many brands of chinch grass granulated insecticides are sold at garden supply stores. Liquid chinch grass insecticides can also be used for control. These are applied using an insecticide attachment that attaches to the end of a garden hose. Follow the instructions on the label.
The Drip Cap
- There are three varieties of chinch bugs that belong to the Lygaeidae insect family.
- The bugs live in the thatch of lawns where they consume the sap of grass.
- To eliminate chinch bugs from being a pest inside the house, they must be controlled in the lawn.
- Mow grass once a week for thatch control.
- Follow the instructions on the label.
References
Resources
Writer Bio
Based in Oregon, Kimberly Sharpe has been a writer since 2006. She writes for numerous online publications. Her writing has a strong focus on home improvement, gardening, parenting, pets and travel. She has traveled extensively to such places as India and Sri Lanka to widen and enhance her writing and knowledge base.
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