I think I have chinch bugs in my lawn (St. Augustine grass, So. Texas). I have sprayed with a commercial insecticide, but I think they're still here. Is there any way to determine if in fact they are the problem, and how to permanently get rid of them?

Thanks... Doug

The best way to see if they are alive or not is to take a coffee can, and cut the bottom out of it. Place it so it is covering green grass as well as dead in an infected area, and fill the can with water. The bugs will simply float up to the top. You can also look for them by parting the grass with your hands, and examining the thatch layer where they live.