Summer bugs are back! We are now seeing and treating the following bugs in turf. 
Chinch bugs: If you have Bermuda or St. Augustine turf, these will show up in the hottest, sunniest parts of your yard. The grass will look dry, yet watering won’t help. If you see this happening, look at the area where dry grass melds into healthy, green grass. The BB-sized black insects have white patches on their wings. They are very fast and hard to see. 
Bermudagrass (stunt) mite: Its characteristic damage is shortened internodes that produce a typical rosetting and tufted growth, or a “witch broom” effect. When left uncontrolled, large areas of turf are killed. This has become a problem on some lawns in north and central Texas. A similar mite causes almost identical damage to buffalograss (Buffalo grass). 
Bermudagrass scale: Scale affects both common and hybrid bermudagrass. They are mostly contained to shady areas with excessive thatch. Scale resembles a white, clam shaped material on stems, nodes and crowns. Vital fluids are sucked from the turf, causing stunted growth and a yellow and brown appearance. Damage is often confused with disease or drought stress.