How to Fight Chinch Bug Damage in Central Florida
Melbourne, Florida, is dealing with a stretch of dry days and high temperatures. And this record-breaking drought isn’t just stressing out your lawn — it’s also making it a prime target for chinch bugs. These tiny pests thrive in hot, dry weather and can turn a healthy St. Augustine lawn brown fast. Here’s what homeowners need to know about spotting chinch bugs and protecting their grass this season.
Why Drought Makes Chinch Bugs Worse
- Hot, dry turf is chinch bug paradise.
Drought-stressed grass has weakened roots and less natural defense, making it easier for chinch bugs to feed and spread.
- Less rain = faster spread.
Heavy rains often suppress chinch bug populations. Without that relief, bugs can multiply unchecked.
- St. Augustine lawns are especially vulnerable.
The most common grass for Florida lawns is a favorite food source for southern chinch bugs.
How to Spot Chinch Bug Damage in Your Lawn
- Brown patches that don’t green back up with watering.
If a dry spot stays brown even after irrigation, chinch bugs could be the cause — not just drought.
- Yellowing or thinning grass that spreads outward.
Damage usually starts small and expands in irregular patterns.
- “Halo effect.”
You might see a yellow border around dead patches — a classic sign of chinch bug activity.
- Test for chinch bugs.
Part the grass near the edge of a brown spot and look for tiny (1/5 inch) black-and-white insects crawling at the base.
Or use the “coffee can test”: push an open can into the soil, fill it with water, and see if bugs float to the top.
Why DIY Isn’t Enough in a Drought Year
- Chinch bugs develop resistance to over-the-counter products.
Many store-bought treatments don’t work long-term and can harm beneficial insects.
- Spot treatments miss hidden populations.
Chinch bugs move fast — professionals can identify and treat the full infestation.
- Your lawn needs more than just pest control.
In drought conditions, lawns need specialized care (like proper fertilization and watering strategies) to recover fully.
How Professional Lawn Care Can Help
- Targeted chinch bug treatments that work.
We use commercial-grade products that control pests without damaging your grass.
- Drought-smart lawn care plans.
We help strengthen your lawn’s roots with proper fertilization, mowing guidance, and irrigation strategies that make grass more resilient.
- Ongoing monitoring to stop reinfestation.
We’ll keep an eye on your lawn throughout the season so unwelcome visitors don’t come back.
Don’t Let Chinch Bugs Win
This year’s drought is putting Melbourne lawns under serious stress. Let our lawn care experts help you stop lawn pests fast and bring your lawn back to life. We offer a variety of services to help keep Florida lawns happy and healthy, including lawn care programs, lawn pest control, mosquito control, aeration, and more. Homeowners in Central Florida have placed their trust in the Turf Masters team since 1994. We proudly serve Melbourne, Palm Bay, Viera, and surrounding areas. Contact us today for a free lawn evaluation.