Grass mites cause extremely painful stings in humans and animals and can spoil the fun in your own green. The nuisance prefers to be wherever grass can be found. In this article you will learn how to successfully contain the mite plague and protect yourself.
Regular scarifying hides grass mites
Prevent grass mite infestation
If your garden was inhabited by the nimble mites last year, you can prevent another infestation with calcium cyanamide fertilization at the beginning of May. It is important to mow the lawn beforehand and apply the fertilizer when the weather is dry.
Alternatively, you can apply grass mite concentrate, which is available from various manufacturers in specialist garden shops. The meadow should be shortened directly before using the spray so that the grass mites are sufficiently wetted. For best results, it is necessary to repeat the treatment after about a week.
Unfortunately, the pyrethrins contained in the products are harmful to aquatic organisms. If you have a garden pond, you must be extremely careful when spraying. The concentrate is not harmful to bees.
Scarify as a preventive measure
Grass mites feel particularly at home on mossy grassy areas. Therefore you should scarify thoroughly in spring:
- Always work the dry lawn. In the event of an infestation with grass mites, you should wear rubber boots and long trousers that you tuck into your shoes to protect yourself.
- Mow the lawn with the lawn mower set to its lowest setting.
- Adjust the blades so that the turf is cut two to three millimeters.
- Drive the device briskly in longitudinal and then in transverse paths over the surface.
prevent bites
In the warm summer months, the long trousers and long-sleeved tops recommended to protect against mites are not very comfortable to wear.
Alternatively, you can use insect repellents against mosquitoes and ticks, these also help against mites. After spending time outdoors, you should remove and wash all clothing immediately. Shower thoroughly so that any remaining animals are quickly rinsed off the skin.
tips
If you have grass mites in your garden, you should immediately dispose of the lawn clippings in the compost or organic waste bin. Unfortunately, the material populated with mites is not suitable as a valuable mulch material.