Controlling Black Beetles (Billbugs or Chinch Bugs) in Your Lawn

A gardener in East Kilbride, Scotland, asked about a product mentioned on "The Beechgrove Garden" for black beetles eating grass roots. The pests are likely billbugs or chinch bugs, common turf pests worldwide.

Identification

• Billbugs: Larvae are white, legless grubs with brown heads; adults are weevils. Damage appears as irregular brown patches that pull up easily.
• Chinch bugs: Tiny black insects with white wings; nymphs are red with a white band. They suck sap, causing yellowing then browning in sunny areas.

Control Resources

Since the advisor is in Illinois, they provided university extension links for identification and control:

• Texas A&M Insect Control
• Kansas State Billbug Info
• Ohio State Billbug Fact Sheet
• MSU Lawn Insect Control
• Ohio State Chinch Bug Fact Sheet
• Ohio State Chinch Bug Management

Timing

It may be too late for treatment this year in Scotland; use the information to plan early intervention next season.