A Guide to Clover Mites: How To Identify These Tiny Red Bugs (2024)
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Have you ever spotted a swarm of tiny red bugs congregating on your windows or walls? These unwelcome visitors may be clover mites.
Rest assured that clover mites are a nuisance pest. They do not transmit disease or cause structural damage. In fact, the biggest disturbance clover mites cause is red stains—and that only happens if you crush them. Understanding their unique characteristics and seasonal habits can help you confidently identify, deter, and remove them.
What Are Clover Mites?
Clover mites (bryobia praetiosa) are tiny red bugs with eight legs and two body segments. Like other mites, they are not insects but arachnids. They feed by piercing plant leaves and sucking out the sap. They rarely cause lasting damage, thanks to their small size and short life span.
Clover mites are cool-weather mites that hibernate during extreme summer and winter temperatures. In spring and fall, you might see them congregating on walls, windows, and tree trunks. They are harmless but can be a nuisance if they find a way inside your home.
What Do Clover Mites Look Like?
Clover mites are smaller than a pinhead—about .75 of a millimeter or 1/30 of an inch. Like other mites, they have eight legs. Their most distinctive feature is the length of their front legs, which are twice as long as their other legs. Clover mites hold their front legs in front of their bodies like antennae. As arachnids, they do not have actual antennae.
When squashed, clover mites leave behind a red stain. Eggs and immature clover mites are bright red. Adults are often a rusty red color, but they can also be brown or olive green. Their abdomens feature loosely spaced plates.
Clover mites only have six legs in their larval form. They develop their fourth set of legs as nymphs. They molt as they grow, and though their shape does not change much, their color fades or darkens.
Clover Mite Facts
The more you know about clover mites, the less alarming their presence will be. Here are a few interesting facts to keep in mind:
- Diet: Clover mites eat various plants but prefer clovers and grasses.
- Habitat: Clover mites prefer lush lawns and temperate weather. They seek out dry, protected areas that insulate their eggs from extreme temperatures.
- Life span: Clover mites take about one month to develop from eggs to adults. Once mature, clover mites have about a two-week life span.
- Reproduction: All clover mites are female. They reproduce independently by laying eggs that do not require male fertilization.
Clover Mite Behaviors
Clover mites are seasonal invaders. Eggs laid in the fall remain dormant during winter and hatch in early spring. The new generation of clover mites matures and lays eggs before summer. The eggs and any nymphs or adults will then hibernate during the summer. Clover mites emerge once more in fall as the weather cools down.
Remember that clover mites aren’t drawn to the food or moisture inside your home. They only want a safe place to wait out summer heat or winter’s freezing temperatures. Though they might show up in large numbers outside your home—and a few might make their way inside—they pose no real threat. They do not bite or transmit diseases.
Signs of a Clover Mite Infestation
Homeowners are most likely to spot clover mites in early spring and fall when the adults are active. During these times, you may notice them congregating on the sunny side of buildings, including the windows, siding, and foundation of your home. From there, they will crawl through any cracks and crevices they find in search of shelter.
Though visible to the naked eye, clover mites are tiny bugs. They’re hard to spot and don’t leave behind many obvious signs of their presence. Your only clues will likely be sightings of live adults and the red stains they leave behind on walls, flooring, and fabric when crushed. If only a few mites make their way inside, you might not even notice them.
Clover Mites vs. Chiggers
Be careful not to confuse clover mites with chiggers, another species of red mites. Though they are both little red bugs, the similarity ends here.
Unlike clover mites, which feed exclusively on plants, chiggers target humans and animals during their larval stage. As larvae, they will attach to a host and feed on liquified skin cells in a pore or at the base of a hair follicle. After a full meal, they transition from parasites to scavengers and predators. Nymphs and adults feed on insects and decaying organic materials.
Chigger bites can cause itching and irritation, but they typically detach from humans within a few hours. Chiggers are most active during the warmest months of the year, but they can be active nearly year-round in the South.
| Clover Mites | Chiggers | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult size | 1/30 inch | 1/60 inch |
| Bite? | No | Yes—causes itching |
| Color | Red, reddish-brown, or olive green | Red, orange, or yellow |
| Most active | Early spring and fall | Late spring and summer |
Clover Mite Prevention Tips
You can safeguard your home against clover mites with simple preventive measures. Start by creating a plant-free zone around your house. Note that landscaping rock is not typically enough to deter clover mites; you will need about 18–24 inches of bare soil. Remove grass, leaves, weeds, and any other plants that might attract clover mites.
At the very least, opt for plants that clover mites do not find appealing, and make sure they do not touch your home’s exterior. Spruce, yew, barberry, and juniper shrubs are a good choice, as are marigolds, roses, zinnias, chrysanthemums, geraniums, and petunias.
Remember that clover mites prefer dry conditions. Keeping your lawn well-watered—especially areas that tend to stay dry—can discourage mites from taking up residence near your home.
You should also fortify your home by sealing any potential entry points. Fill cracks, gaps, and crevices with caulk. Pay particular attention to doorways and windowsills, allowing direct home access. You can also spray targeted pesticides around the perimeter of your home or contact a home pest control company.
Removing Clover Mites From Your Home
If clover mites have already entered your home, manually remove them with a vacuum cleaner or a moist cloth. Be gentle, though. Crushing them could leave behind red stains. Empty the vacuum cleaner outside or burn the vacuum bag to prevent the mites from escaping. You might also apply home remedies like neem oil, diatomaceous earth, or boric acid.
If your infestation is large or persistent, consider treating your home’s foundation with a residual insecticide. Look for products with permethrin, bifenthrin, or cyfluthrin as the active ingredient, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Alternatively, consider hiring a professional pest control company. Many exterminators offer special pricing on annual plans. With this arrangement, you pay a set amount per month or quarter for recurring pest control services. The plan typically includes quarterly broad-spectrum perimeter treatments and more targeted treatments for any specific pest problems.
Our Conclusion
Though clover mites may appear alarming, they pose no health or safety risks. Understanding their plant-loving, non-biting nature can ease concerns. Simple removal methods like vacuuming or wiping down surfaces are enough for small infestations. For large infestations, consider applying insecticides or hiring a professional pest control service. Then, take steps to prevent their return by clearing plants away from your home and sealing potential entry points.
FAQ About Clover Mites
Can clover mites bite humans?
No, clover mites are not dangerous. They do not bite, sting, or transmit disease, nor do they cause any structural damage. The biggest annoyance is the red stain they leave behind when crushed.
Are clover mites dangerous?
No, clover mites are not dangerous. They do not bite, sting, or transmit disease, nor do they cause any structural damage. The biggest annoyance is the red stain they leave behind when crushed.
How do clover mites get inside my home?
Clover mites typically get inside your home through cracks and crevices, especially around windows and doors. They seek shelter each spring and fall when the weather gets too hot or cold for comfort.
What is the best DIY treatment for clover mites?
The best do-it-yourself (DIY) treatment for clover mites is physically removing them with a vacuum cleaner or damp cloth.
Should I hire an exterminator for clover mites?
Hiring an exterminator for clover mites is not typically necessary. However, you might consider calling in a pro if you have a large infestation or DIY methods are ineffective.
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