Chinch bugs are small pests that can cause a large amount of damage to your lawn. Chinch bugs suck the moisture out of grass blades, then replace that moisture with a poison that kills the grass. Lawns that have been effected by chinch bugs appear to have drought-like symptoms, including yellow, brown, or dead grass.

The first step in removing chinch bugs from your lawn is to be sure you have chinch bugs and aren't dealing with another pest or lawn disease. Read our guide below to identify chinch bugs.

Chinch bugs are small, growing to only 1/5 of an inch long as adults.

Chinch bugs have oval shaped bodies. Adult chinch bugs have two wings that overlap over their bodies.

Chinch bugs of all ages have piercing mouthparts that puncture grass blades.

Adult chinch bugs have black bodies and white wings that overlap over their bodies. Each wing has a black triangle shape near the body. Their legs are light brown.

Immature chinch bugs are bright orange in color. Their bodies darken as they age until they become black as adults.

Chinch bugs can be found across the southern United States.