Bank Mites in Denver Lawns
Why Preventative Applications Matter This Year
Does your lawn look stressed and extra dry right now? With very little snow this winter, grass across the Denver area are incredibly dry, and dry turf creates the perfect environment for bank mites to thrive.
At Autumn Tree Lawn and Landscape, we want to share this early warning because lawn mite activity often goes unnoticed until spring, when the damage is already done.
Preventative Lawn Bank Mite Applications
Because mite pressure is expected to be high this year, Autumn Tree Lawn and Landscape strongly recommends at least one out of the three mite treatments this season to help protect your lawn and reduce the risk of spring damage. Preventative sprays are one of the best ways to support a healthy lawn going into spring, especially when winter moisture has been minimal.
Why Bank Mites Are a Bigger Concern This Year
Bank mites love dry turf. And unfortunately, that’s exactly what Denver lawns have to offer this time of year. The lack of consistent snow coverage means our turfs aren’t getting the moisture they typically rely on during winter. When grass become stressed and dry, they’re much more vulnerable to mite activity. You may be at a higher risk for bank mites if you have areas of the lawn that are already looking brittle or straw-like, especially in locations such as:
- South and west-facing sides of structures
- Near rock beds
- Sun-exposed slopes
- Around pine trees
These spots tend to warm up faster, dry out quicker, and become prime real estate for bank mites.
When Mites Are Most Active in Lawns
Mite pressure typically increases under the exact conditions we’re experiencing right now: warm and dry winter weather. Bank mites often feed in turf areas from November through March, especially during those warmer, sunny days. When the weather turns colder or wetter, they commonly take shelter in pine trees, buildings, and structures. This on-and-off feeding cycle makes mites especially frustrating because damage can build over time without being obvious right away. (Read more on CSU extension)
Why Mite Damage Is Hard to Catch (Until Spring)
One of the biggest challenges with bank mites is that while your lawn is dormant, it’s difficult to tell if mites are already present. Most lawns won’t show noticeable damage until spring, when the grass should be greening up. In many cases, the first sign of a mite issue is when: Small patches of turf never turn green, larger areas stay brown even after watering begins, and the lawn looks like it “died over winter.”
Unfortunately, by the time this damage appears, it may be too late to reverse. In severe cases, areas of the lawn may require reseeding or more intensive restoration, making it a costly problem.
How Bank Mites Damage Grass
Bank mites feed by sucking moisture and chlorophyll from grass blades, which causes the turf to turn brown, dry out, and die back. Mite damage can become even more severe in lawns that are sloped (water drains quickly and turf dries out faster), have shallow root system or struggled with watering consistency during the summer months
Mites and water aren’t friends… but mites and dry weather are besties.
Our Recommendation:
Schedule a blanket application of miticide to control mites during dry periods.
Ready to Get On the Route?
If you’d like to protect your lawn before mites become a costly problem, we’re here to help. Contact our office to get scheduled for a lawn mite treatment.
As always, if you have questions or want help identifying high-risk areas of your lawn, reach out, we’re happy to help you stay ahead of the season.