Mild winter brings chinch bugs
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Mild winters have many advantages; however, during the mild winter, many households have experienced the surviving populations of chinch bugs that have infested many areas around Lake County. Because of the favorable conditions over the last two seasons, the chinch bug has shown to be a major insect pest in grass areas and then moving into homes or out buildings during the winter.
The adult chinch bugs are about 1/8 to 1/5-inch in length and black with white markings on the wings. The wings rest flat over the back of the insect and there is a black spot between the wings. They have piercing-sucking mouth parts and they feed on the sap of grass plants. Because their diet and natural habitat is grass plants, they are non-threatening to humans or house structures. However, they can be a pesky nuisance when they move into homes for the fall and winter. It is common for chinch bugs to find their way into homes for the winter, then as weather warms in the spring, adults move into open areas where females begin to lay eggs. There are two generations per year, with a partial third generation in unusually warm summers.
Defending the home from chinch bugs can begin by discouraging them in turf grass and grass pastures around the home. In many instances, chemical control of chinch bugs is not necessary. Studies in areas have demonstrated that lawns which receive adequate amounts of water throughout the summer, preferably weekly deep watering, or irrigation in pastures and hay fields help with control.
Around the home, it is recommended to seal all outside cracks and crevices using an exterior caulk and a caulk gun. Make sure there are no holes in window screens. In the home, vacuum all areas of the home to remove chinch bugs and focus on crevices, along windows and near doors. Dispose of the bugs from the vacuum promptly. Heavy infestations that are vacuumed up can begin to smell if left to decompose inside the vacuum.
