Chinch bugs or drought? Brown St. Augustine in July

By July, most Austin lawns look stressed. But if yellow patches along your driveway or sidewalk keep spreading even after you water, look closer. Chinch bugs attack St. Augustine in exactly those hot, sunny spots.

How to check

• Look at the edge of the yellow area, where green meets brown.
• Part the grass and watch the soil line. Adults are tiny black bugs with white wings; young ones are red with a white band.
• Or push a can with both ends removed into the soil, fill it with water, and watch for bugs floating up.

Why it matters

Chinch bugs suck sap from the runners. Large patches can die in a few weeks of summer heat, and watering doesn't bring them back.

What to do

Call us for a targeted chinch bug treatment. We don't do weed treatments in July and August because of the heat, but insect treatments for chinch bugs and grubs go on as needed.

• Mow St. Augustine at 3 to 4 inches.
• Water deeply, early in the morning.
• Skip summer nitrogen, which makes chinch bugs worse.