These tiny, red mites can be very annoying if they bite. Although harmless, mite bites are usually very itchy, and sometimes painful. To get rid of mites in your yard, clean up tall plants, find mite "housing places," and use natural or chemical insecticides. To avoid mites, wear long sleeves/trousers, use a safe insect repellent, and wash your body and clothes as soon as you enter the house.
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Method 1 of 3: Controlling Mites Outside the Home
Step 1. Cut grass regularly and prune tall plants
Weeds, weeds, and tall grass are good hiding places for mites. An easy and effective way to get rid of mites from the yard is to pull out weeds and mow the grass.
- Prune trees, shrubs, and shrubs regularly to reduce humidity around the plant and increase sun exposure.
- This action reduces the amount of shade and humidity that the mites prefer to breed. These insects do not like areas that are dry, bright, and have good air circulation.
- Do this action continuously throughout the year. Mites that are dormant will be active again when the weather is warm.
Step 2. Prevent the arrival of mite-hosted animals into the yard
Amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals are preferred hosts for mites. Take care not to let the animal roam in the yard to keep the mites away too. This can happen because the mites will follow the food source.
- Eliminate water sources that may attract amphibians and reptiles.
- Trim heavy foliage or shrubs so that small mammals don't use them as cozy hiding places.
- Close the trash can and install a fence around the garden or yard.
Step 3. Find a place where the mites swarm in the yard to clean
If you want to get rid of mites using natural or chemical insecticides, only treat the spots where the mites have swarmed, not the entire area. It's less expensive, faster, and usually more effective. However, you have to find the place first!
- Choose a place for the mites to swarm by placing small boxes of black cardboard around the yard, especially in a shady, damp area with dense plants. After 15-30 minutes, check for pink or yellow spots on the cardboard. These are mite larvae!
- Alternatively, place a small plate filled with water in the same area. Larvae will be attracted to high humidity.
- Monitor any mites that you have found for treatment.
Step 4. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on the mites in the yard
Using diatomaceous earth (this is a natural organic pesticide) can help get rid of mites and other garden pests. Wear gloves, safety glasses, and a face mask when you sprinkle diatomaceous earth, either by hand or by a lawn spreader.
- Diatomaceous earth is a natural material derived from the fossils of small creatures called diatoms. This product is sold in the form of a fine white or off-white powder.
- Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around lawns and areas where mites prefer to live. Focus on weeds, weeds, and tall grass.
- Mites die from dehydration when they ingest diatomaceous earth. Its sharp granules will also slice and kill mites that walk on it.
Step 5. Spray the mite-swarming area with an appropriate insecticide
Look for an insecticide that contains bifenthrin, esfenvalerate, cyfluthrin, diazinon bifenthrin, chlorpyrifos, cyhalothrin, carbaryl, or permethrin. Insecticides containing one of these chemicals are usually effective at killing mites. However, read the product packaging carefully to see if the insecticide you are buying is specifically designed to treat fleas and/or mites.
- Follow the instructions on the product packaging so you can use it safely. Wear protective clothing to prevent the insecticide from getting into your skin or eyes when you spray it.
- Reapply insecticide to the area about 2-3 weeks later if there are many mites infesting the yard.
- Insecticides in spray form are usually more effective in dealing with mites than in granular form. However, if you prefer to use granules, choose an insecticide that contains bifenthrin.
Step 6. Call a professional exterminator if the mite infestation is severe
If the mites still don't go away after taking precautions, using natural ingredients and household chemicals, contact a professional exterminator. Professional exterminators are licensed to use chemicals that are stronger and more dangerous, but more effective.
- For example, they may kill mites using propoxur, cyfluthrin, or fluvalinate.
- Stay away from the area being treated if it is not already dry. Do not allow children and pets to walk in the area if this is prohibited by the exterminator who handles it.
- Even if you have used a stronger chemical, you may still need to re-treat the area 2 or 3 weeks later if the infestation is severe.
Method 2 of 3: Removing Mites from Skin and Clothing
Step 1. Rub the exposed skin every 15 to 30 minutes when you are outdoors
Mites don't always grab hold of the skin immediately after they come into contact with the body. By regularly scrubbing the exposed skin on your feet and hands, you can get rid of the mites that have settled on your body.
- For the same purpose, you can also scrub the clothes to get rid of the mites stuck there.
- You can scrub it using a towel or a brush with soft bristles.
Step 2. Take a hot shower and soap after you enter the house
If you have recently been in an area infested with mites, take a hot shower or bath as soon as you enter your home. If you're lucky, you can wash away and kill all the mites before they get a hold of your skin.
- To make sure the mites are completely gone, soap, rinse, and repeat this process several times while you shower. The water used should be slightly hot, not just lukewarm.
- Use the washcloth to rub the skin vigorously to remove any mites that may have started to cling to your body.
Step 3. Wash the clothes in hot water
If you suspect that you have mites while outdoors, remove any mites hiding in your clothes by washing them with hot water and soap. The water must have a minimum temperature of 52 °C. Otherwise, the mites can still live. You'll need to wash it for 30 minutes or so to completely remove the mites from your clothes.
- After washing, dry the clothes in a tumble dryer or dry them in the sun.
- Don't put on clothes that are infested with mites before you wash them. Do not use cold water to wash clothes because the mites will not die.
Step 4. Reduce itching from any bite by not scratching it
Once the mite has grabbed onto the skin, the bite will itch for several hours. Itching caused by mite bites can be temporarily relieved with benzocaine ointment, hydrocortisone cream, or calamine lotion. You can also relieve itching with petrolatum (petroleum jelly), baby oil, or a paste made of water and baking soda.
- Don't scratch the mite bite even if it's very itchy! If you do this, the skin can tear and become infected.
- If the affected area feels warm or discharges, see a doctor.
Method 3 of 3: Avoiding Mite Invasion
Step 1. Cover the skin with a tight-fitting cloth to keep out the mites
If you go to an area where mites attack or a place with tall plants, prevent the mites from attaching to your body by covering your skin as tightly as possible. Wear long sleeves, long socks, long pants, and high boots.
Choose fabrics with tight fibers, not fabrics with wide and loose fibers. Lice are so small that they can get in through gaps and loose woven fabrics. However, these insects will find it difficult to penetrate fabrics that have small, tightly interwoven threads
Step 2. Cover or tie any holes in the garment
Mites can find a way to reach the skin by sticking to clothing and crawling through the gaps underneath. To prevent this from happening, as much as possible close any gaps that expose your skin. Focus on the area from the waist down as the mites usually jump from the tall grass to the lower body.
- Tuck the socks into the pants or tuck the bottom of the pants into the socks to close any gaps that expose the skin.
- Tuck the shirt into the pants. Mites like to bite on thin areas of skin, such as the genitals!
- When you are walking on grass or tall weeds, tie the ends of the sleeves around the wrists with an elastic band or ribbon.
- If possible, wear clothes that have zippers, not buttons.
Step 3. Sprinkle sulfur powder inside socks and shoes
Strong odors (like powdered sulfur) are believed to be effective at repelling mites. Sprinkle fine sulfur into socks and/or shoes to repel mites that hide and lurk in the grass and weeds near your feet.
- For better protection, try sprinkling a little powdered sulfur on the inside of your shirt and pants.
- Remember, powdered sulfur emits a strong odor, which may not be the ideal solution if your sense of smell is very sensitive. In addition, there is not much evidence to show that this method works well.
Step 4. Use a mite repellent that contains DEET (diethyltoluamide)
DEET is one of the most effective insect repellents for mites and other fleas. Use this antidote on exposed skin, especially on the arms, hands, and feet. This product can also be used on clothing (but not on the skin under clothing) in these areas.
- DEET can last for 2-3 hours. You have to re-spray it after the time is up.
- Do not spray DEET-containing repellent around the mouth and eyes.
- Do not spray DEET-containing repellents on skin covered by clothing as this can irritate it.
- Follow the instructions on the package carefully. Some insect repellents can damage clothing, plastic, nail polish, and other surfaces that have been varnished or painted.
Step 5. Try using a product containing permethrin for clothing
Just like DEET, the antidote permethrin (0.5%) is also effective against mites. However, permethrin should only be used on clothing, not on the skin.
- Antidotes containing permethrin can last for a few days after use, and will stick to clothes even after one or two washes. However, it's a good idea to apply it to your clothes the day before you put them on.
- Apply this repellent on both sides of the garment, focusing on openings such as the cuffs, collar, and waist. Allow the repellent to dry completely before you put the garment on.
- Follow the instructions on the product packaging carefully when you use this insect repellent. Like DEET, some insect repellent products that contain permethrin can damage clothing, nail polish, plastic, and surfaces that have been varnished or painted.
Step 6. Avoid walking through tall grass if possible
When you are walking in parks, tourist attractions, or other locations where there are lots of weeds and tall grass, try to use the trails provided. You should always consider tall grass a breeding ground for mites, especially if the area is damp and shady.
- Avoid areas with unmowed grass, and walk around areas that have been mowed so you don't accidentally come into contact with tall plants.
- Mites need lush plants that provide plenty of shade and moisture to use as a breeding ground. Tall plants are a very favorable environment for mites.
Step 7. Avoid sitting or lying on the ground, especially near mite-infested areas
While the mites don't usually roam around in short-cut grass, they can also live in the area if tall plants are nearby. If the mite jumps onto an area of short cut grass, it can bite and attach to the skin on the neck, hands, or head.
