Many Colorado residents assume that once November and December hit, their lawns no longer need moisture. What those residents forget is the blazing Colorado sun is still very much in full vigor, and without rain or regular snowfall, the conditions are perfect for lawn mites.
Lawn mites are especially active from December through late April – coinciding with a very dry winter and early spring. Unable to tolerate moist conditions in the soil, your greatest weapon against an infestation is simply a garden hose – making sure that when the temperature is above 40 degrees your lawn is moist.
According to Colorado State University Extension, “Depending on the severity of the infestation, turf damage may range from minor thinning to complete kill. Damage occurs most often on south- or west-facing exposures, especially if sloped, where turf is more likely to be drought-stressed.”
What to look for
If your lawn appears brown and straw-like in patches (even crumbly to the touch), you probably have lawn mites. Sometimes you won’t be able to see the damage until your lawn begins to green up in the spring. When parts of your lawn no longer green up and maintain that straw-like appearance, the damage is done and seeding or re-sodding will be necessary.
What you can do
As mentioned above, watering your lawn during the dry, winter months is your greatest defense against mites. Use a garden hose, hand nozzle or sprinkler attachment (we do not recommend turning on your automatic sprinkler system). Remember not to leave your garden hose outside in case temperatures drop below freezing.
SavATree also has a lawn mite control program comprised of monthly applications during key months to help manage the mites to prevent any further damage. Contact one of our experts today to learn more about our lawn mite control program.
Don’t let lawn mites ruin your lawn for the spring. Paying close attention to the moisture in your area and watering when necessary will go a long way to preventing lawn mites from invading your property.
