The tiny arachnids prefer warm areas, but are now found throughout Europe. Once the pests have settled in your garden, it is difficult to get rid of them again. That's why you should take action as early as spring and take appropriate measures to contain the pests.
How do I fight grass mites in spring?
Fighting grass mites in spring: Scarify the lawn and fertilize it with lime-nitrogen, mow weekly, water when it is dry, apply repellent to shoes, clothing and skin, and wash textiles and shower after gardening. Use grass mite concentrates or neem extracts early on.
Painful bites
The adult mites overwinter in the soil at a depth of up to one meter. Here they can easily survive even long periods of frost. When temperatures rise in spring, they head to the surface to mate. After about four weeks, which can be from mid-May in very warm years, the mite larvae hatch and cause the unpleasant, very itchy hives.
You won't notice anything about the actual bite at first, because the itching only starts after about 24 hours. However, the red pustules itch violently for weeks. The symptoms are made worse by the fact that the arachnids almost always bite several times in a row.
How can I tell if grass mites are living in my garden?
Since the larvae of the walking mites are only about 0.2 to 0.3 millimeters in size, it is almost impossible to detect them with the naked eye. As proof, you can place a white sheet of paper on the meadow on a warm, dry spring day. The bright surface attracts the animals and they are easy to recognize due to their dark body.
Fight grass mites starting in spring
Prevention is the best remedy against pests:
- Carefully scarify the lawn in spring and fertilize the green with lime nitrogen.
- Mow at least once a week throughout the growing season, or more often if necessary.
- Water the grass when it is dry, this will drive the arachnids into the ground.
- Treat shoes, clothing and skin with an effective repellent.
- After gardening, you should put the textiles in the laundry and shower thoroughly.
Tip
Grass mite concentrates or neem extracts are suitable for direct control on the lawn. These should be spread out in good time in the spring. If you have identified the areas that the animals prefer, you can spray them with 70 percent medical alcohol.
