Lawn shrimp, also known as Browne’s blechum, may be an unwelcome guest in your yard. These tiny animals can be a bother, and you need to get rid of them before they do a lot of damage to your garden or lawn.
Getting rid of lawn shrimp involves understanding their habits and implementing measures to prevent their proliferation. In this article, we will discuss various methods to help you maintain a healthy, shrimp-free lawn. We will talk about the pros and cons of each technique as we look at them, so you can make the best choice for your situation.
Lawn shrimp, or terrestrial amphipods, are small crustaceans native to Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. Known for their pinkish-brown color, these amphipods resemble tiny shrimp. They usually live in damp places. After it rains a lot, a lot of them may show up in garages and under doors.
These crustaceans typically live on the surface of mulch and moist ground, up to a depth of 13mm. They thrive in soft ground cover and leaf mold, particularly beneath shrubbery. Lawn shrimp are now widely distributed, including California, where they have been introduced.
As a homeowner keeping your lawn looking pristine can feel like an endless battle. One common lawn pest that can quickly get out of hand is the lawn shrimp. These small shrimp-like creatures might seem harmless at first glance, but they can multiply rapidly and become an eyesore. If your lawn is overrun with lawn shrimp, don’t panic. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get rid of lawn shrimp for good.
What are Lawn Shrimp?
Lawn shrimp, also known as land hoppers or arcitalitrus sylvaticus, are a species of amphipod that is native to Australia and New Zealand They earned the name “lawn shrimp” because of their resemblance to tiny pink shrimp, often reaching 1⁄4 to 1 inch in length
Lawn shrimp thrive in moist environments and are commonly found living in the top layers of soil mulch under rocks, logs, and debris. They feed on decaying organic material. While not directly harmful, high populations of lawn shrimp can damage turfgrass and landscape plants. Heavy infestations also create an unsightly mess on patios, driveways, and sidewalks.
How Do Lawn Shrimp Get in My Yard?
Lawn shrimp need very specific conditions to survive and multiply. They require damp, moist soil and organic material to feed on. Common ways lawn shrimp find their way into your yard include:
- Spreading through mulch, compost and imported topsoil
- Migrating from nearby wooded areas
- Hitching a ride on landscape plants from nurseries
- Thriving in overwatered lawns
- Taking shelter in moist, shaded areas
If you suddenly see hundreds of tiny pink lawn shrimp crawling all over your yard after a heavy rain, chances are they were there all along, just hiding underground. The damp conditions allow them to emerge.
3 Steps to Get Rid of Lawn Shrimp
Getting rid of a lawn shrimp infestation takes patience and persistence. There’s no quick fix. Following these 3 steps can help eliminate lawn shrimp from your yard:
1. Create an Uninhabitable Environment
The key to wiping out lawn shrimp is making the environment unsuitable for them. Lawn shrimp need moisture to survive. Here are some tips:
- Allow areas of the lawn to dry out completely between waterings
- Remove excessive mulch and organic material
- Prune trees and shrubs to increase sunlight and reduce shade
- Rake up leaves, grass clippings, and debris where they congregate
- Repair leaky hoses, spigots and irrigation issues
It may take weeks or months of diligently following these steps before you start seeing results. Preventing moist refuge areas will encourage lawn shrimp to leave your yard in search of a better home.
2. Apply Beneficial Nematodes
For a biological boost, apply beneficial nematodes to areas infested with lawn shrimp. These microscopic worms occur naturally in soils and prey on lawn shrimp.
Nematode products can be purchased online or at garden centers. Follow label directions carefully. Apply them in the evening when temperatures are cooler and the lawn is damp. Reapply every 2-3 weeks until the lawn shrimp population is under control.
3. Spot Treat With Insecticides
As a last resort, pesticide spot treatments can help reduce severe lawn shrimp infestations. Always follow label precautions when using chemicals. Two ingredients proven effective against lawn shrimp include:
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Carbaryl: Sold under brand names like Sevin and Carbaryl. It’s available as a liquid, granule, bait or spray.
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Bifenthrin: Often marketed as Talstar, Ortho Bug B Gon, and other products. It comes as a liquid concentrate.
Only use insecticides directly in the most heavily infested areas. Spot treat mulch beds, under shrubs, and where lawn shrimp congregate. Avoid widespread spraying which can harm beneficial insects.
Can I Prevent Lawn Shrimp?
While there’s no foolproof way to keep lawn shrimp from ever entering your yard, best practices can deter them from getting out of control:
- Inspect new plants, mulch and topsoil for hitchhiking pests before installing
- Eliminate excess moisture and fix drainage issues
- Allow mulch to dry out completely between waterings
- Keep turfgrass mowed higher and water deeply but infrequently
- Remove leaf litter, fallen branches and debris piles where they hide
- Encourage natural predators like birds and beneficial nematodes
Staying vigilant and making your lawn an unfavorable habitat is key to preventing lawn shrimp. A drier environment and eliminating shelter options sends the message that your yard is not open for business.
Will Lawn Shrimp Come Back After Treatment?
Lawn shrimp are resilient and good at hiding. After treatment, you may continue to spot some stragglers over the next few weeks. Don’t be discouraged. Their numbers should gradually diminish over time.
It’s crucial to remain diligent with your prevention efforts after getting rid of lawn shrimp. Keep moisture to a minimum, eliminate shelter sites, and reapply beneficial nematodes or pesticides if they start rebounding. With persistence, your efforts will pay off and your lawn will soon be shrimp-free.
When to Call for Professional Help
For most homeowners, ridding lawns of shrimp can be tackled as a DIY project. However, if you’re dealing with an especially heavy infestation that continues to persist after your best efforts, don’t hesitate to call the pros.
A pest control professional has the knowledge and commercial-grade products to knock out stubborn lawn shrimp for good. They can develop a tailored treatment plan specific to your situation.
Although frustrating, lawn shrimp don’t have to mean you’re stuck with a destroyed, unsalvageable lawn. With this complete guide, you now have the key facts and solutions needed to successfully eliminate lawn shrimp. Be diligent, patient, and persistent for best results. Your lush, shrimp-free lawn awaits!
Relation to Other Crustaceans
| Amphipods | Crayfish | Shrimp |
|---|---|---|
| Slender, nearly transparent | More robust | Slender, slightly transparent |
| First 2 pairs of legs have pincers | First 3 pairs of legs have pincers (1st pair large) | First 2 pairs of legs have pincers |
| Tail flattened side to side | Tail rounded | Tail fan-like |
There is a species of lawn shrimp called Arcitalitrus sylvaticus. It is related to crayfish, regular shrimp, and other crustaceans. They share some characteristics with both, including their overall shape and the presence of pincers on their legs. However, unlike crayfish, their tails are flattened from side to side, and they look thinner and almost clear.
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Reproduction and Population Growth
Lawn shrimp reproduce quickly, which can lead to a significant growth in their population, especially in wet conditions. For example, conservancy fairy shrimp found in vernal pools can hatch and mature within 37 days. Their rapid reproduction can sometimes cause an infestation, becoming a nuisance to homeowners.
Lawn Shrimp vs Conservancy Fairy Shrimp Reproduction:
| Attribute | Lawn Shrimp | Conservancy Fairy Shrimp |
|---|---|---|
| Maturity Time | Rapid | 37 Days |
| Ideal Conditions | Wet, damp soil | Vernal Pools |
Despite being harmless to plants and humans, lawn shrimp are an essential part of the ecosystem. Some key roles include:
- Decomposing organic matter, promoting healthy soil
- Serving as food for many animals that eat plants, like birds and small mammals
But when there are a lot of them, they can be a bother to people because they often come into garages or homes looking for water.
To sum up, lawn shrimp are small, harmless crustaceans that can be a bother because of how they eat and how quickly they reproduce. As an important part of the ecosystem, they break down organic matter and provide food for other living things.
LAWN SHRIMP Invasion in my house! aka Lawn Prawn or Land Hopper; NOT a Termite
How do I get rid of lawn shrimp?
If you want to get rid of lawn shrimp, just eliminate shady and moist areas from your property and say goodbye. To get rid of a lawn shrimp infestation from your yard you simply need to remove moisture. Lawn shrimp can’t stand dry conditions, so reducing moist spots in your yard is the best way to eliminate them.
Can I eat raw shrimp?
Eating raw shrimp is not recommended. Raw shrimp can contain bacteria that can cause food poisoning. It is also a good source of purines, which can trigger gout attacks. If you want to eat shrimp, cook it thoroughly to reduce the risk of food poisoning and to help prevent gout attacks. Cook shrimp until it is opaque and pink to ensure that it is safe to eat.
Can you kill lawn shrimp?
If they are in your garage or house, they will not survive long and can be easily vacuumed up when they have died. Because of the relative ease of killing lawn shrimp naturally, it is not recommended to use chemicals on them. Not only is it bad for your lawn and outdoors environment in general, it is more expensive and can do more harm than good.
How do I prevent lawn shrimp from becoming a nuisance?
To prevent lawn shrimp from becoming a nuisance, ensure proper drainage in your garden and avoid overwatering. If their numbers become problematic, introducing natural predators like ground beetles or adjusting irrigation practices so the soil has time to dry out can help discourage them from taking up residence in your yard.