Put in a 20 gallon hose end sprayer

• 1 cup Murphy's oil soap
• 1 cup neem
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup alcohol
  Apply before 8:00 AM

About the Chinch Bug
The southern chinch bug, Blissus insularis Barber, is an insect pest of St. Augustine grass. This tiny pest, rarely measuring over 6 mm in length, causes millions of dollars in damage per year, as homeowners seek to control chinch bug outbreaks by applying insecticides and replacing damaged grass. For this reason, much research has focused on the development of a more economic and effective mode of control, although pesticide application remains the most popular method today.

In most instances, the chinch bugs move from lawn to lawn within a neighborhood by walking from a heavily infested area to a fresh feeding area. During relocation, the population may cover over 400 feet in under an hour, an impressive achievement for such small creatures.

An infested lawn displays discolored patches, which are usually circular in shape. Injury typically occurs first in water-stressed areas along the edges of the lawn or where the grass is growing in full sunlight. St. Augustine grass cultivated on high, dry, sandy or shell soil is especially vulnerable to southern chinch bug damage.

Cultural practices, including proper mowing, fertilization, and irrigation, can greatly reduce the susceptibility of St. Augustine grass to chinch bug infestations. St. Augustine grass should be kept to a height of 3 to 4 inches to ensure a strong root system, which will increase the grass tolerance against chinch bug infestations. Lawns should be mowed frequently enough so that no more than 1/3 of the leaf blade is removed at each mowing. Mowing with a sharpened blade will reduce the stress on the grass, thus making the lawn less susceptible to chinch bug outbreaks.

Large applications of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers can cause rapid grass growth and heightened chinch bug susceptibility. To reduce potential damage after fertilizing, use a water insoluble, time-release or multiple-application fertilizer.

Moisture stress in lawns also encourages chinch bug infestations. To avoid over-watering, irrigate only after wilting begins, when the edges of the grass leaves start to curl. Less than an inch of water is usually sufficient to rewet the top 8 to 12 inches of the root zone. Excessive water and fertilization can cause a thick layer of thatch to accumulate directly above the soil surface. Thatch, a spongy mat of shoots, stems, and roots, provides a prime habitat for chinch bugs to feed and lay their eggs. If a significant layer of thatch covers a lawn, it may be removed mechanically by vertical mowing or power raking.