Wilson®BUG-X OUT®
Chinch Bug Nematodes

If you’re faced with a chinch bug infestation, and you don’t want to use a chemical pesticide, turn to Mother Nature instead! Beneficial nematodes are small microscopic worms. They are mixed in with water to wake them up and sprayed on grass. Once on the grass blades and on the soil surface, they search for a host, which is usually an adult chinch bug or chinch bug larvae. The nematodes carry a pathogen that they inject into the host insect, and that pathogen multiplies and kills them within a day or two. Then the nematodes lay their eggs on the dead chinch bug. New babies go out and search for more. Mother Nature comes through again.

This product is available in all Canadian regions except NL

Benefits and characteristics

Kills chinch bugs quickly (within 1 or 2 days)
Kills chinch bugs quickly (within 1 or 2 days)
Chinch killer that contains no pesticides
Chinch killer that contains no pesticides

Where to use

  • Indoors

  • Outdoors

  • Lawn

  • Flower gardens

  • Edible gardens

  • Trees and shrubs

  • Patios, porches and decks

  • Building foundations

Effective against

How to use

Step 1
Water your lawn 24 to 48 hours prior to application to move chinch bugs closer to the soil surface, thereby maximizing contact with the nematodes.

Step 2
Remove sprayer lid.

Step 3
Open nematodes tube and place the pouches in the sprayer. To avoid clogging the sprayer, do not tear or open the pouches when placing into the sprayer.

Step 4
Activate nematodes by adding about 2.5 cm (1 in) of warm water in the sprayer. Activated nematodes are sufficiently small so that they will pass through the mesh of the pouches.

Step 5
Open plastic vial and pour natural wetting agent into sprayer bottle. The wetting agent helps the solution cling to the grass where cinch bugs forage.

Step 6
Add room temperature water to fill sprayer bottle.

Step 7
Fasten lid securely and shake vigorously to evenly disperse nematodes. Activated nematodes are sufficiently small so that they will pass through the mesh of the pouches.

Step 8
Attach garden hose to sprayer and turn valve to “Mix” position to begin spraying.

Step 9
Start spraying in most affected area of lawn first and complete spraying outwards to provide total nematode coverage. Agitate spraying solution often during application because nematodes are heavier than water and will sink to the bottom of the bottle.

Step 10
Keep lawn moist for the next 3 days (or 1 week in dry weather) to ensure nematodes are flushed into the turf canopy where chinch bugs are present.


 

Tips

  • Chinch bug damage is most common during July and August when weather is hot and dry. Monitor chinch bugs from June to August.
  • Apply nematodes to lawns when the soil temperature is between 10 °C and 32 °C (50 °F - 90 °F) and water lawn copiously in the following days.
  • Apply to soil in the early morning or evening to avoid heat and direct sunlight.
  • When spraying is complete and the sprayer is empty, there will be leftover nematodes in the pouches.
  • These pouches can be placed in the composter or disposed of with regular garbage.

Nematodes are a live species and should be used as soon as possible. Do not store the nematodes in water, a bag or a container. Keep out of direct sunlight. Do not store open packages (use all at once). No need to refrigerate.

Harmless to human health, pets, plants and the environment

Link to Safety Data Sheet

Pesticide-free chinch bug killer

Frequently asked questions

Chinch bug damage is most common during July and August when weather is hot and dry. You will find brown patches showing up, especially in sunny areas.

Monitoring Test

  • Take a can with both ends cut out.
  • Push about 5 cm (2 in) into the soil.
  • Fill the can with water.
  • Check in approximately 5 to 10 minutes for the presence of chinch bugs that have floated to surface.
  • Treatments are usually necessary when 25 to 30 insects are found per square foot.

Yes. BUG-X OUT Chinch Bug Nematodes are harmless to humans, pets, plants, beneficial insects and the environment. They have no adverse effects on beneficial insects such as lady bugs or earthworms. The treatment area is safe to use immediately after application.

Beneficial nematodes are microscopic worms that are found naturally in soil. BUG-X OUT Chinch Bug nematodes are specific nematodes that hunt for chinch bug eggs in the soil profile. BUG-X OUT Chinch Bug Nematodes package includes a natural wetting agent in a vial that needs to be added to the water to help the mixture stick to the blades of grass, where chinch bugs forage.

In the suspended animation state, BUG-X OUT Nematodes will last 6 months in the package. Once they are mixed in water and activated, and also properly watered into the lawn soil, they will start looking for host chinch bug eggs. The nematodes can survive up to 30 days in the soil.

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