In this case insecticide control may be necessary. When bugs are migrating from the grain or grass field, they often go through a soybean field. They do not feed on the bean plants, but often kill all of the foxtail and volunteer corn. Occasionally they will even kill the foxtail in a cornfield and not feed on the corn. It is believed that chinch bug survival is correlated with the nitrogen content of plants.
Survival is greatest on plants having a nitrogen deficiency.
Natural Control A fungus disease that kills chinch bugs during periods of humid weather can almost eliminate a large population. High temperatures and moisture are necessary for this fungus to give maximum control. When most of the bugs are newly hatched, or at least very small, hard beating rains will trap them in the mud, from which they cannot escape. Weather is one of the most important natural controls of chinch bugs. Hot, dry, weather is favorable, while warm, humid weather is detrimental.