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. The thickness of grain stands and the type of plant growth are usually more important than the kind of grain in the field.