Clover Mites

Clover Mite Identification and Habitat

Clover mites (or red clover mites) are extremely tiny mites. Full-grown clover mites are slightly smaller than the head of a pin. They are red to reddish brown and feed on clover, lawn and other grasses, various trees, ornamental plants, and shrubs. They don’t cause much damage but can turn grasses or leaves a silvery color because they suck sap from the plants. High numbers of these tiny red bugs are sometimes associated with well-maintained lawns. Their small size makes it easy for them to gain access into your home.

Often found in very large numbers in grass next to foundations of buildings or anywhere they can find a safe hiding place, like walls, windows, and tree trunks. It is easy for them to crawl into cracks around windows, foundation walls, under siding, and shingles, and usually on sunny sides of houses. 

How to Get Rid of Clover Mites

There are several methods you can use to kill clover mites and keep them out of your home. If you have any questions about getting rid of Clover Mites just give us a call and we’ll help you out.

Outdoors: Preventing these red mites’ entry into your home is the best line of defense. Removing any grass and weeds that are near your home is an important in keeping these mites out. A three-foot strip of clean, freshly cultivated soil free of grass can prevent mites from accessing the threshold. Planting some plants these mites dislike (petunia, salvia, geranium, chrysanthemum, rose, zinnia, yew, arborvitae, juniper, spruce). An outdoor chemical barrier is also an effective way to keep them out. Talstar works great for this. Make sure to spray at least five to ten feet out from the base of the foundation and a few feet up the wall.

Indoors: Indoor-safe pesticides are not very effective against clover mite infestations. However, a fine layer of dust (like talk, diatomaceous earth, or baking soda) around windows, cracks, doors, etc., can coat the mites and kill them. Vacuuming existing mites or wiping them up with a damp cloth is an easy way to pick them up. Since they are so small, it is easy to catch them with tape. Even masking tape can easily trap them; place tape on widow sills and baseboards.