Clover mites are tiny pests that can suddenly appear in large numbers, often finding their way into your home during colder months. While harmless, these bugs can become a nuisance, especially if they leave unsightly red stains on walls and windows. In our guide, we’ll help you identify clover mites, understand their behavior, and provide effective solutions for preventing and removing them.
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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 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.
- Lifespan: 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 most active during cooler parts of the year, particularly in early spring and fall. Eggs laid in the fall hatch in spring, and the resulting generation matures quickly before entering dormancy in the summer. A second wave of activity typically occurs in fall as temperatures drop again.
Outside, clover mites thrive in well-fertilized lawns, mulch beds, foundation cracks, and the soil near exterior walls. They are especially drawn to warm, sunlit areas with dense vegetation, often bringing them close to homes. Their movement indoors is typically triggered by a need to escape extreme temperatures.
Clover mites gain entry through tiny gaps around windows, doors, siding, and foundation walls. Once inside, they are commonly found in bright, sunlit areas like windowsills, sliding doors, and walls. They hide in tight spaces such as baseboards, trim, and crevices between window frames. Despite their small size and rapid movement, they are not harmful and don’t feed or breed indoors.
How Clover Mites Can Impact Your Home
Although clover mites don’t bite, sting, or transmit diseases, their presence inside your home can still feel frustrating. One of the main concerns is the red pigment they release when crushed, which can leave stains on walls, furniture, curtains, and floors, especially on light-colored surfaces. While not hazardous, these stains can become difficult to remove.
Large infestations may result in noticeable numbers of mites gathering around sunny windows and doorways. Their speed and clustering behavior can appear alarming, although they pose no real health or structural risk. However, their presence may create stress and lead to additional cleaning to remove both live mites and residue.
Signs of a Clover Mite Infestation
Clover mite activity is most visible during spring and fall, when adults are drawn to the sunlit sides of homes. You may see them crawling on siding, windows, or around foundation walls, especially where vegetation meets the house. If they gain entry, they often cluster near sunny windows or doors.
The mites are tiny and reddish-brown, visible to the naked eye but easy to overlook unless they appear in large numbers. One of the clearest signs is the red smear they leave when crushed on light surfaces. You may notice this staining on windowsills, walls, or floors. If only a few mites enter, you may not detect an infestation.
Clover Mites vs. Chiggers
It’s sometimes easy 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 |
| Biting insect | 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
You can typically use simple pest control methods to deal with a clover mite infestation. 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.
Consider treating your home’s foundation with a residual insecticide if your infestation is large or persistent. 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 the cost of 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.
FAQs About Clover Mites
Can clover mites bite humans?
No, clover mites cannot bite humans. They are harmless and do not pose any physical threat to people.
Are clover mites dangerous?
No, clover mites are not dangerous. They don’t bite, sting, or transmit diseases, and they don’t cause any structural damage.
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 do-it-yourself (DIY) treatment for clover mites?
The best 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.
