What is a clover mite?
Clover mites are very small, reddish-brown creatures that appear only as moving dark spots to the naked eye. Why are they considered pests? Sheer numbers, and the resulting red-brown stain left behind if they are crushed, make them unwelcome visitors. The red stains are not blood, but they are the mite’s body pigments. They are not blood feeders and will not harm people or pets, nor will they infest household products. Once inside a home or building they will soon die. They can be especially abundant in the heavy, succulent growth of well-fertilized lawns. They usually enter a home around windows or doors so they are usually seen crawling along sills or thresholds. The mites can crawl up outside walls and may enter the buildings at upper levels. How do I reduce their numbers indoors? Clover mites are a temporary nuisance. They appear suddenly and then are gone. A soapy rag or wet sponge can be used to clean mites off of surfaces. Wipe carefully to avoid crushing the mites and causing s
