Do you have itchy bites on your legs after spending time in the garden? Grass mites can be the culprit. We show you how to protect yourself and your pets and fight grass mites.

In a nutshell

  • Grass mites belong to the arachnid family
  • live on the lymph fluid of humans and animals
  • Bites cause severe itching and red welts
  • Grass mites appear on grassy areas from spring through fall
  • Natural home remedies can help prevent it

pests with many names

Grass mites (Neotrombicula autumnalis) are the nuisances of summer. They have many names:

  • hay mites
  • autumn grass mites
  • grass lice
  • harvest mites

However, the term “autumn bite” fits best.

Identify grass mites

The two millimeter large animals are barely visible to the naked eye. They live in the ground and lay their eggs in the grass. The larvae hatch from June to July. These sit on blades of grass and wait for their victims. Pets roaming the meadows and people walking barefoot or wearing only sandals are at risk.
The mites crawl up the legs and look for a thin-skinned, warm and humid part of the body. The back of the knees, navel, lower legs, ankles and armpits are often affected. After the bite, the insects release a secretion that softens the top layer of cells. After that, they can suck lymph, cell fluid and even blood unhindered.
At first the bite goes unnoticed. Red dots only become visible several hours later. Severe itching occurs after 24 hours.

Notice: Symptoms usually go away after a day or two. However, sensitive people can react violently to the bite of an autumn grass mite. If blisters form or the pain doesn't go away, see a doctor.

The paper trick

Autumn grass mite larvae only reach about 0.3 millimeters in length. Use the paper trick to identify an infestation in the lawn:

  1. Take a white sheet of paper.
  2. Place it on your lawn on a dry, sunny day.
  3. If you see small red dots on the white paper, they are grass mite larvae.

Combat grass mites

We have put together natural home remedies and tips that you can use to combat grass mites and make it difficult for them to settle in the garden lawn. A complete elimination of the pests is not possible.

  1. Mow your lawn frequently. Keep the grass short. Dispose of the grass clippings in the bio bin. In this way you can significantly reduce the number of dreaded larvae.
  2. Scarify the lawn regularly to remove the moss, because autumn grass mites like to hang out there too.
  3. Moisturize your lawns. Grass mites prefer dry conditions. When it rains or is artificially irrigated, the larvae retreat into the ground.
  4. Fight mice on your property. Mice are considered carriers of the mites.
  5. Strengthen your lawn in the spring by applying a lime-nitrogen fertilizer. Mow the lawn and apply fertilizer on a dry day.
  6. Irrigate the grass areas with a neem oil and water solution. Add 100 milliliters of neem oil to five liters of water and spray the lawn with it.
  7. Maintain a distance of at least two meters between the lawn and the house to prevent intruders entering the apartment.
Mice transmit these mites. So keep them out of your garden.

Notice: Cold winters naturally reduce fall grass mites. The small animals can retreat up to half a meter deep into the ground, but if the frost penetrates that far, they have no chance of surviving. However, as warm winters increase in Central Europe, the number of mites increases.

frequently asked Questions

Are there any pesticides that protect against the colonization of grass mites?

Autumn grass mites are not plant pests, so there are no pesticides available to combat them. Use the options presented and natural home remedies. Protect yourself with appropriate clothing.

How is the bite of the grass mite treated?

Cool and disinfect the affected areas. Try not to scratch.

When are grass mites active in the garden?

The main season for grass mites begins in July and ends in October.

How can you prevent a grass mite bite?

In summer, wear shoes and stockings when hiking across meadows or staying on a lawn in the garden or at a swimming pool. Shower right after to rinse off the insect larvae.

How to recognize grass mite infestation in pets?

When dogs and cats constantly lick and scratch each other, mite bites can be the cause. They prefer the warm, moist, less hairy parts of the body in pets. After the walk across meadows and fields, give your dog a shower. Frequent washing of animal blankets helps control grass mites. Contact the vet if symptoms don't go away a few days after the grass mite bites.

Category:

Garden pests