In this article, we’ll provide our best tips on getting rid of lawn mites and preventing them from coming back in the future.
What Are Lawn Mites?
Lawn mites, also known as spider mites and clover mites, are tiny spider-like pests that feed on the juices of grass blades and other plants. They are often found in turfgrass, lawns, pastures, gardens and landscapes across North America. Spider mites vary in color from deep red to yellowish-orange, while clover mites are greenish-gray to rusty brown.
They reproduce quickly and can cause substantial damage to your lawn if not treated properly.
How to Tell if You Have Lawn Mites?
If lawn mites are killing your grass, your lawn will turn yellowish or straw-colored in irregularly shaped patterns. If you closely inspect your lawn you may see small white or red mites on blades of grass or in the thatch layer.
You can often tell which type of mite is infesting your lawn by examining them through a magnifying glass. When you have identified the mites it’s important that you act quickly as these pests can quickly take over the whole lawn if left unchecked.
In hot and dry conditions, lawn mites can multiply very quickly with a new generation being produced every week in some cases.
How to Get Rid of Lawn Mites
The most effective way to eliminate lawn mites is to attack them from multiple angles. To achieve the best results, regularly mow your lawn and apply a specialized treatment specifically designed for lawn mites. This combination of activities will be more successful than using just one measure at a time.
Here’s our best tips on how to kill grass mites in your lawn:
1. Pesticides
Using pesticides to eliminate lawn mites is a reliable way to remove them from your property. Before you start, make sure that you choose the correct pesticide designed for the type of mite that has infested your lawn.
We recommend using a product that contains deltamethrin as it is known to be effective in getting rid of spider mites and clover mites.
2. Natural Predators
Ladybugs are a natural and effective solution to lawn mites. Ladybugs can help reduce the population of mites on your lawn, as they feed off of them as their primary food source.
You can buy ladybugs online or at a garden center. Once you have your ladybugs, release them onto the lawn at dusk when mites are most active.
Releasing ladybugs in large numbers is the best way to eliminate lawn mites. You may need to repeat this process multiple times, depending on the size of your infestation. Once the number of mites has been reduced, you should be able to keep them under control.
3. Diatomaceous Earth
Another effective way to control mites is by using diatomaceous earth, which kills bugs with exoskeletons. It’s worth noting that the product should be labeled “Food Grade” in order for it to be safe for humans and pets. When applying diatomaceous earth, make sure to wear gloves since it is very powdery.
Keep in mind that the rain will wash away diatomaceous earth, so you may need to reapply it after a rainfall.
4. Mowing Your Lawn
Regularly mowing your lawn can help reduce lawn mites. We recommend doing this at least twice or three times a week.
After cutting your grass, be sure to collect it and place it in a sealed plastic bag before disposing of it in the trash. Doing so will help reducing the mites in your lawn.
How to Prevent Mites in Your Lawn
One of the best ways to keep mites out of your lawn is by maintaining healthy grass. When the grass is weak, it becomes more susceptible to mite infestations. To keep your grass healthy, make sure to water deeply and regularly, fertilize at least once a year, and aerate the soil.
You can reduce the presence of mites by regularly cleaning up your lawn. Mites tend to live in organic material such as leaf litter, so removing any twigs and leaves that have accumulated is an effective way to keep them away. Make it a habit to rake up debris from your lawn to help prevent mite infestations.
Conclusion
Mite infestations in your lawn can be a major problem. To help combat them, it’s important to use a combination of different tactics such as pesticides, natural predators, and diatomaceous earth. You should also regularly mow your lawn and clean up leap litter and any debris. With these tips, you can keep your lawn mite-free.
