Banks turf mites are a common destructive insect that will cause severe damage to drought stressed turf. These mites begin to feed and destroy lawns starting as early as December and will continue to feed through the winter season.

The damage to a lawn is not recognized until lawns begin to come out of dormancy in the spring. The areas of lawn where mites have been feeding will be brown and straw like and will not green up. Mites feed in large numbers and kill areas of turf very quickly.

TURF MITE FACTS

Common areas where turf mites will feed on are on south and west-facing areas, slopes, around trees and edges of turf that border concrete or stone where the sun reflects heat.

Lawn mites reproduce very quickly, building large populations and causing damage that will not recover. Costly re-sodding or re-seeding will be necessary for those damaged areas.

TWO STEP SOLUTION

Winter and early spring watering is critical. Watering will reduce the amount of mite populations.

Mountain High’s Mite Reduction Program has proven to greatly reduce mite damage. This program, in combination with winter watering, will help protect your lawn from devastating mite damage. The program is a small investment in avoiding costly repairs.