May 23, 2009
Posted: May 23, 2009
Clover Mites
Clover mites are very small red and green mites, often concentrated in grass next to the foundation of a building. They are especially abundant in Colorado when winters are dry and warm, and they congregate on the south and west side of buildings. Mites will enter buildings during the winter months and, depending on weather conditions, will stay from October through early May. Freezing temperatures cause the mites to become dormant, but several generations are born during their active period.
Clover mites will damage grass, turning it a silvery color. Once in a building, mites can spread to walls, curtains, furniture and carpet. Although they do not bite, transmit diseases or feed on household furnishings, they can be a nuisance and leave red stains when crushed on surfaces. Winter watering, especially on southwestern exposures, can alleviate mite problems. To keep clover mites from coming inside a building, leave an unplanted, three-foot border around the building.
To chemically prevent clover mites from entering a building, spray Bifenthrin on the foundation on the south and western sides of the building. These chemicals can control clover mites in grass areas, too. Inside homes, vacuum mites and immediately dispose of the bag. Also, watering the infected areas will decrease the mite population.
Beneficial Insects
Insects, mites and weeds have natural controls that can eliminate 98 percent of their populations. In Colorado, beneficial organisms occur naturally. They can also be purchased commercially, and are available on a limited basis through the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
The best known of the so-called good bugs is the ladybird beetle or ladybug. The ladybug is found in most yards and Gardens, and provides some control of aphids and several other soft-bodied insects. Unfortunately, ladybugs that are purchased have a natural tendency to disperse, so they provide little benefit to buyers who wish to control insects in their yards.
Green lacewings are commonly found in Colorado and feed on a variety of insect pests. Lacewing eggs can also be purchased and provide control once the eggs hatch and the developing larvae feed. The adults will also disperse unless significant numbers of aphids are present.
Praying mantids are large insects that prey on other insects. Unfortunately, praying mantids don’t usually overwinter in Colorado, and they feed on beneficial insects as well as pest species. Praying mantids don’t reproduce quickly, and they catch only fast-moving insects.
To order beneficial insects from the department of agriculture, go to:
Colorado.gov/ag/weeds then select Biological Pest Control Program and click on information on fees.
Source: Planttalk Colorado