Chinch Bugs vs Bermudagrass Mites - Which Insect Is Damaging Your Lawn?

When your lawn suddenly has patches of dead or damaged grass spread across it, it could be suffering from a lawn insect infestation. In Texas, two common lawn insects to be on the lookout for are chinch bugs and bermudagrass mites. Chinch bugs feed on a variety of grass types, leaving small to large patches of brown turf in their wake that resemble drought stress. Bermudagrass mites only feed on bermudagrass, leaving brown patches of dying grass on your lawn that can resemble a witch's broom. If you suspect your lawn is infested by either of these insects, it's best to contact professionals right away! They will be able to confirm which insect is infesting your lawn and can administer curative treatments to eliminate them.

What does chinch bug damage look like?

If you start to notice several patches of discolored grass throughout your lawn, it could be a chinch bug infestation! Chinch bugs are more common on St. Augustine grass and cause damage to it by sucking sap from the grass blades and injecting them with a toxin that inhibits proper water flow. The result is patches of brown or yellow grass in various locations on your lawn that resemble drought stress. If chinch bug control treatments aren't applied, these small patches of grass will quickly grow into large areas spread throughout your lawn that can eventually die.

What does bermudagrass mite damage look like?

If you notice yellow or brown patches of dying grass on your lawn, it could be a bermudagrass mite infestation. Bermudagrass mites only feed on bermudagrass, which is where this lawn insect gets its name from. The damage bermudagrass mites cause looks similar to stress caused by lack of nutrients or water, as the grass blades die back to the stems. The damage can also resemble a witch's broom, as the sheaths of the grass turn yellowish-brown and swell. When the infestation is heavy and left untreated, the grass can die.

If you suspect that either of these insects is infesting your lawn, contact professionals.

As soon as you notice signs of chinch bugs or bermudagrass mites on your turf, you want to contact professionals for help! These pesky insects can cause severe damage to your lawn when left untreated, so you want to eliminate them as quickly as possible. Contacting professionals ensures the best results and prevents any further damage from occurring. They will come out to your property and complete a full inspection of your lawn to determine the type of insect that has infested it. Once they identify the insects, they will then apply an effective curative treatment to eliminate them so they can't continue to cause damage to your lawn.

Reach out to us today to schedule our lawn insect control service.

If you believe your lawn is infested with either chinch bugs or bermudagrass mites, don't hesitate to reach out to us at Weedex Lawn Care. Our team of professionals will come out to your property and inspect your lawn to confirm there is an active infestation and correctly identify the lawn insect. Our lawn insect control service includes effective curative treatments that target both chinch bugs and bermudagrass mites to ensure your lawn is free of pests no matter which type has infested it. We can also provide various lawn care services to help your lawn recover from damage. We offer these services to residential properties in Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, TX, and other surrounding areas as well. Reach out to us today at (972) 727-9207 to sign up!