Control of various white grubs has become increasingly difficult since the loss of persistent chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides. Rule of thumb is that if there are more than 8 grubs per square foot, soil should be treated. Researchers are looking into alternatives. Nematodes parasitic on insects are being looked at for possible control of soil pests. Turfgrass breeding researchers are working on turfgrass varieties that can withstand more insect feeding before showing damage, or that are genetically modified to deter insect feeding.
Chinch bugs injure grasses by puncturing the stems and sucking out the plant juices.
Injury first appears as a coppery colored area closely resembling drought or sunscald injury. If the infestations are severe, the grass is killed and only clover and other non-grass weeds, which are not attacked, survive. Chinch bugs normally become a problem after June, most often during July, August and September when we have warmer temperatures. Some varieties of grasses appear to be more tolerant of chinch bug feeding injury than others. The hairy chinch bug is our common species.