Home Remedy for Mites in the Grass

Mites on Grass

• Grasses can be infected by a wide range of mite species, including the clover mite, banks grass mite, brown-wheat mite, and the Bermudagrass mite. Feeding damage and characteristics of an infestation vary widely accordingly to the species of mite and according to the species of grass being infested. Damage can be quite extensive with all of these species, so an effective control method is essential for saving your grass.

Home Remedies

• Remedies also vary according to species and type of grass, but there are some general non-chemical remedies that apply to all species of mites. A dusting of talc-containing baby powder, diatomaceous earth (DE), baking soda or corn starch applied to areas where mites frequent can help control their spread to the lawn. Similarly, creating a 3-foot wide plant-free area around the lawn grass will discourage the mites from ever traveling to the lawn in the first instance.

Cultural Practices

• Simple and practical cultural practices are one of the most effective weapons against mites available to the homeowner. Keeping lawn grass mowed to around 3/4 inch and discarding of grass clippings will eliminate overwintering sites for mites. Avoid nitrogen fertilizers if possible. Keeping your lawn grass safe from drought stress by irrigation -- particularly in fall and winter -- can serve as a multi-purpose control method by both helping reduce mite populations and allowing grass to outgrow mite feeding damage.

Other Control Approaches

• Commercially available miticides (pesticides targeted specifically at mites) can be effective when used according to the manufacturer's directions exactly, but to use household items to the same miticidal effect, you can spray your grass with a soapy water mixture. According to the Colorado State University Extension, applying this type of solution in early winter both reduces mite populations and helps grass outgrow mite feeding damage.