Discussions

For the second year in a row, I have large dead patches in my lawn. No, they are not from dog pee. In addition to the dead patches, I have red "dust" on my lawn that appears only when it is sunny.  
 
Last year, I noticed that this ''dust'' was moving very slowly. I took a sample in to Poulins who shipped it off to an entomologist in Winnipeg. The entomologist identified the ''dust'' as clover mites!  
 
Here is where I am confused. The Internet says that clover mites are only active in the spring and fall - and that they do not like heat. I, however, notice more activity on a hot day in direct sun than any other time.  
 
Last year, I was the only yard affected that I was aware of. This year, however, it appears as though most of the yards in my neighbourhood have them (whether the home owner knows or not, I do not know!). I also identified this same red ''dust'' on a lawn across town.  
 
Long story but I''m going crazy about these bugs! Anyone have any experience with clover mites? Or does this sound like something altogether different? I''m not 100% convinced it is clover mites, despite what the entomologist said...  
 
Edited by squeak, 2018-06-26 13:09:38

I would say it is more a rust fungus then clover mites. I have had it before on my lawn. It eventually will disappear and cause no long term damage to your lawn. Have you been watering heavily? Possibly at night or dusk?  
 

Thank you for your reply Ms. Daisy. I hope you are right... I have been watering some but not overly heavily. It is usually in the late afternoon.  
 
I'm not convinced it's lawn rust however. The red 'dust' is not as fine as lawn rust appears to be - it is more like individual tiny red dots that cover my shoes. It is also more red than orange AND some of the dust moves. It is like it is tiny larvae of some insect...  
 
The best way to find it is to find a sunny spot, take my foot (Wearing a black shoe) and skim it across the top of the grass blades. The shoe then has all these red tiny dots on it....

Stop watering your lawn and let it dry out. It happens every year to my lawn from over watering.