Hey there! Ever spotted some tiny critters hopping around in your garden that look like mini shrimp? Well, you’ve just met lawn shrimp! As someone who’s dealt with these peculiar creatures in my own yard, I’m here to share everything you need to know about these fascinating little fellows.
What Are Lawn Shrimp, Really?
Lawn shrimp (Arcitalitrus sylvaticus) are actually land-dwelling crustaceans, not insects! They go by several names:
- Fairy shrimp
- Grass shrimp
- Lawn prawns
- Land hoppers
These tiny guys are typically about 1/4 inch long – pretty small, right? They’re more closely related to the shrimp you eat than to garden pests like aphids Fun fact they turn pink when they die, just like their seafood cousins!
Where Did These Little Fellas Come From?
Would you believe these critters are actually Australian immigrants? Yep. they first showed up in California back in 1967 and have since spread to other places like
- North Carolina
- Florida
- New Zealand
The Life of a Lawn Shrimp
Habitat Preferences
These picky little creatures are super particular about where they live. They need:
- Moist (but not waterlogged) soil
- Shady areas
- Plenty of decaying plant material
- The top 1/2 inch of topsoil
Diet and Benefits
Here’s what’s cool – lawn shrimp are actually helpful recyclers in your garden! They munch on:
- Decaying plant material
- Fungi
- Algae
- Dead leaves
Should I Worry About Lawn Shrimp?
Honestly? Nah! These little guys are totally harmless. They don’t:
- Bite humans or pets
- Damage healthy plants
- Carry diseases
- Infest homes (they can’t survive inside!)
When Do Lawn Shrimp Become a Nuisance?
Sometimes these critters can become a bit annoying, especially when:
- There’s too much rain (they’ll try to escape flooding)
- Conditions are too dry (they’ll search for moisture)
- They end up in swimming pools (can clog filters)
How to Control Lawn Shrimp (If You Really Want To)
If you’re not feeling the lawn shrimp vibe, here are some simple solutions:
Natural Control Methods:
- Reduce watering frequency
- Improve drainage in your yard
- Remove excess mulch and ground cover
- Rake leaves regularly
Quick Fixes:
- Use a leaf blower to move them
- Sweep them off pavements
- Let nature take its course (they’ll die in dry conditions)
Pro tip: Don’t waste money on pesticides – they’re rarely effective and unnecessary for these harmless creatures!
Living with Lawn Shrimp
I’ve learned that the best approach is usually to just let these little guys be. They’re actually helping your garden by breaking down organic matter and enriching the soil. Plus, they provide free food for birds and other wildlife!
If you’re seeing lots of lawn shrimp suddenly appearing, it’s probably a sign that:
- Your yard might be overwatered
- You’ve had recent heavy rains
- There’s too much moisture-holding debris
FAQ About Lawn Shrimp
Q: How long do lawn shrimp live?
A: About a year in good conditions.
Q: Can they survive indoors?
A: Nope! They’ll dry out and die within 24 hours.
Q: Are they harmful to my pets?
A: Not at all! They’re completely harmless.
The Bottom Line
Lawn shrimp are one of those weird but wonderful parts of having a garden. While they might look strange hopping around your yard, they’re actually beneficial little decomposers that help keep your garden healthy.
Remember, if you’re seeing them a lot, it’s probably just telling you something about your yard’s moisture levels. In most cases, the best thing to do is just let them do their thing – they’re part of your garden’s ecosystem!
And hey, next time someone asks you “what are those weird jumping things in my yard?”, you can wow them with your lawn shrimp knowledge!
How to get rid of lawn shrimp (Image credit: Alamy/John Keates)
There are some simple ways to combat lawn shrimp. They never require chemical treatments and can be controlled with small changes to your gardening habits.
A rustic handcrafted insect house for gardens, made with natural wood and a poplar bark front. Encourages beneficial insects and natural predators that eat garden pests. Large Bird House
An outdoor birdhouse that has plenty of space for birds, with 10 separate rooms. Made from natural materials and equipped with metal hooks to hang around the yard to attract birds. Soil Moisture Meter
Avoid overwatering plants and lawns by checking the moisture levels with an easy-to-read soil moisture meter. Place the probe into the soil and the dial will immediately display the moisture level.
What are lawn shrimp? (Image credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/
Lawn shrimp (Arcitalitrus sylvaticus), sometimes called grass shrimp, lawn prawns, or landhoppers, are tiny crustaceans about 0.2-0.6 inches long. They have curved, segmented pink or reddish bodies and multiple legs making them resemble tiny shrimp.
But where do lawn shrimp come from? They were first discovered in Australia and the Pacific but have been introduced to other parts of the globe. They are now common in tropical and subtropical climates, including parts of the western and southern United States where they can be found in gardens and homes.
‘Lawn shrimps are often found living in damp, shaded areas with decaying organic material, which is why you may find them in your garden or lawn,’ says Daniel Baldwin, an entomologist at Hawx Pest Control. ‘They are usually found in tropical and subtropical climates, but can also appear in places that have experienced heavy rain. ‘
Daniel adds that lawn shrimps are found outside ‘most of the time’, but will enter homes, garages, or porches as they try to find refuge from heavy rain showers. ‘This means you may find dead lawn shrimp in small clusters in corners of the room or along the edge of the walls, which could be a sign of an infestation on your property,’ he says.
Lawn shrimps have a fast life cycle and reach maturity within a few weeks. They tend to live less than a year, but are susceptible to changing weather conditions and die quickly when they dry out.