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Is Your Lawn at Risk? Watch for Chinch Bugs & Grubs This Summer

Hot and dry conditions are prime time for chinch bugs—which means they’re back in the spotlight.

These tiny pests feed on stressed plants by piercing them and sucking out sap, leaving behind a toxin that kills grass and plant tissue. Damage typically starts as irregular yellow or brown patches in your lawn—often mistaken for dry spots.

To confirm chinch bug activity, pull back the grass canopy and look closely. Mature chinch bugs are small, black insects with a distinct white "X" on their backs.

Don’t Forget About Grubs

Another common summer pest is the grub—a small white worm that feeds on grass roots. Severe grub damage can be so bad, you can lift the turf like a carpet. While grubs are the larvae of June bugs, only a few of Texas’s 100+ species actually harm lawns.

Grubs prefer to lay eggs in damp soil, so weather conditions earlier in the month may have favored their spread. You typically need treatment if you find 5–10 grubs per square foot while digging.

What You Can Do: Lawn Care Best Practices

While we can’t control the weather, we can take smart steps to protect our lawns:

✅ Proper Mowing

Mowing too short or with dull blades stresses your grass, making it more vulnerable to pests. Instead, mow weekly using sharp blades and stick to these heights:

  • St. Augustine: 3–4 inches
  • Bermuda/Zoysia: 1–2 inches

💧 Efficient Watering

Keep your lawn properly hydrated during the heat of the summer with this schedule. 

Recommended Schedule:

  • Frequency: 3 days/week
  • Start Time: 4–8 a.m.
  • Run Times:
    • Sprays: 10–15 mins/zone
    • Rotors: 20–30 mins/zone
    • Beds: 5-10 mins/zone

Brandon Spiteri
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
O: 281-375-5100
Fertileearthtexas.com

🛡️ Insecticide Application

Even with proper lawn care, pests like chinch bugs and grubs can still show up. That’s why the Fertile Earth treatment program includes targeted insecticides to combat these damaging insects and protect your turf.

With the right mowing, watering, and pest control strategies, your lawn can stay healthy and pest-free—even in the heat of summer.

If you have questions or need assistance, give us a call at 281-375-5100.


 The Fertile Earth Team