How to Prevent Winter Lawn Mite Damage in Colorado
Winter in Colorado can be a beautiful time of year complete with snowy landscapes and festive lights. But it can be a difficult time of year for turfgrass, especially during dry winters. It also brings an unseen menace to our lawns: winter mites. These tiny pests can wreak havoc on your grass, causing significant damage if left unchecked. By understanding these critters and taking preventative measures, you can keep your Colorado Springs lawn lush and healthy even in the winter months.
What are Winter Mites?
Winter Mites are insects that feed on the lawn during the winter months and early spring. Also known as spider mites, they are tiny arachnids, about as small as a speck of dust, that are reddish-brown in color. Because of their size, they’re hard to spot with the naked eye, and their presence isn’t clear until lawn mite damage appears in spring. They really like dry areas of direct sun, and are usually first found in areas where snow has started to melt.
Types of Lawn Mites
There are many types of lawn mites that can cause damage. Some of these include banks grass mites, clover mites, and brown wheat mites. Each type may exhibit different behaviors and require specific mite control treatments. Banks grass mites love drought-stressed turf which is why winter watering is so important for Colorado lawns. Clover mites are considered cool-season mites because their eggs don’t hatch until low temperatures return in the fall and winter months.
Signs of Winter Mite Damage in Your Colorado Lawn
Winter Mites are small, and their damage is not noticeable until early spring when temperatures warm up and the grass starts to green up. It is difficult for lawns to recover from their damage, and their damage can vary in size; Larger areas of your lawn will take longer to fill in and severe damage may need sodding or seeding to repair. Winter mite damage can happen quickly, which is why prevention is key. Identifying signs of winter mite damage early can prevent extensive harm to your lawn. Look out for:
Brown Patches: Areas of your lawn that appear brown or dried out, especially during winter, might signal a mite infestation.
Visible Lawn Mites: If you notice tiny red or brown specks moving around on the grass, it’s likely a sign of an infestation. You can also try rubbing a sheet of paper over areas of your lawn that may have mites. They will leave rust-colored streaks of reddish-brown which are a sure sign of clover mites. Keep in mind that they won’t be found in areas of dead grass because the food source is gone.
How to Get Rid of Lawn Mites in Your Grass This Winter
Dry winters in Colorado are the key to emerging winter mites which is why winter watering is so important. Keeping up with good watering in winter and early spring is the best way to prevent mite damage and limit their activity. Water in areas of direct sun, or along edges of sidewalks or retaining walls to target hot spots for mites. Insecticide applications can also be applied to prevent and suppress mites in your grass.
Winter Mite Suppression and Lawn Care Services in Colorado Springs
Homeowners in need of winter mite control in Colorado Springs can turn to the professionals at Integrated Lawn Care. We offer a Winter Mite Suppression program designed to protect your grass and prevent unwelcome lawn mite infestations. The Winter Mite Suppression Program includes four applications during the winter months, from December to March, which suppresses and prevents winter mite activity. We know Colorado lawns and what they need to thrive throughout the seasons of each year. In addition to winter mite control, we offer lawn care programs including weed control and fertilization, aeration, tree and shrub care, and winter watering for trees in Colorado Springs. Since 2001, we’ve provided lawn care services to homeowners in Colorado Springs, Peyton, Black Forest, Monument, Fountain, and surrounding areas. Contact us today for a free quote!