Despite their small size, clover mites can be a nuisance when they invade your home. So here we’ll explore effective methods and practical tips to eradicate clover mites and prevent them from returning.
Whether you prefer natural remedies or targeted interventions, we have it all covered. Here’s how to successfully get rid of clover mites!
Table of Contents
What are clover mites and how to recognise them?
Clover mites are arachnids belonging to the mite family. Their size is typically 0.75 to 1 millimetre, so they can hardly be seen with the naked eye. Often called tiny red bugs, clover mites are microscopic and may appear similar to small red specks.
Adult mites are reddish brown, while immature mites and eggs are red. Clover mites have eight legs and two antennas.
Clover mites are an outdoor species that generally live on different types of trees and plants. Summer is their breeding season when the outside population of these tiny red insects increases dramatically.
Cooler weather, on the other hand, often results in a mass migration of clover mites and other pests to buildings and houses for hibernation shelters. Many can enter the home through cracks in window frames or air vents.
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What are clover mites attracted to?
Certain environmental conditions and vegetation attract clover mites. Factors that attract clover mites include:
- Vegetation: As their name implies, clover mites are attracted to clover plants and other vegetation. Grass and herbaceous plants are particularly favourite habitats for them. These plants may attract clover mites and other pests to your garden.
- Moisture: The clover mite prefers humid environments, so places with high moisture levels attract them. Clover mites can thrive in overwatered lawns, damp soil, and moisture-prone surfaces.
- Warmth: These mites are more active during warmer weather, especially in the spring and fall. Home infestations may occur during hot summers when they breed or cold winters when they seek shelter indoors.
- Shade: A clover mite is photophobic and sensitive to light. Most are found on the shady side of buildings or under plant debris, as they avoid direct sunlight.
- Cracks and crevices: Small openings in walls, doors, windows, and foundations are easy entry points for clover mites.
Are clover mites harmful?
Clover mites do not bite humans or cause any health issues. They do not bite or feed on blood and are not dangerous to humans or pets. However, the tiny arachnids feed on plants with their piercing mouthparts.
Furthermore, clover mites can be a nuisance when they enter homes in large numbers. When crushed, they may leave red stains on surfaces such as walls, carpets, and fabrics.
Although clover mites do not bite, it’s essential to identify and deal with infestations promptly to avoid further inconvenience and damage to your plants. By implementing preventive measures and getting rid of clover mites effectively, you can keep their population in check and reduce their impact on your garden and home.
What are the most effective ways to get rid of clover mites?
In addition to natural remedies for eradicating clover mites, we will also address the extermination of mites indoors and outdoors separately. Learn how to get rid of clover mites in and around your home!
Indoor clover mites removal
- Vacuum: You can remove clover mites from your house by vacuuming them up. If you detect a of group clover mites in your home, use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of them. The next step is to vacuum the surrounding floors, walls, and windowsills to remove all mites and mite eggs (the eggs of clover mites are small, dark red orbs). It is best not to smash the mites as they may leave behind a red stain that is difficult to clean. After using the vacuum bag or canister, dispose of it immediately.
- Use soapy water: Make a solution of water and mild dish soap. Clover mites will be killed in contact with this mixture. Soapy water disrupts their waxy coats and dehydrates them.
- Sprinkle Diatomaceous earth: Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth on affected areas indoors. Diatoms in the powder damage mites’ exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate and die.
- Apply Boric acid: You can remove clover mites from your furniture by sprinkling boric acid. A compound in laundry detergents, such as Borax, repels and eradicates clover mites. Sprinkle powdered detergent over your carpets, rugs, and furniture. Pour a small amount of liquid laundry detergent into a spray bottle, dilute it with water, and spray it on clover mites.
- Get insecticides: Spray insecticide on the clover mites to kill them. An insecticide safe for indoor use, such as permethrin, diazinon, bifenthrin, or chlorpyrifos, can kill a group of mites. Ensure the insecticide is applied directly to the mites and repeat the process until the clover mites are gone. Use insecticides as a last resort because they can degrade air quality inside your home.
- Leave it to a professional pest control company: Sometimes, clover mites may not be as easy to remove from your house. Their sheer number will be your biggest challenge, and pest professionals may be helpful. If the methods above do not work and the infestation is severe, a pest technician could be contacted to deal with the issue.
Eradicating clover mites outdoors
- Water dry areas: If you have dry spots on your lawn, clover mites may use them to lay their eggs. You can prevent that by watering the dry patches. The eggs of clover mites are often laid in dry areas, such as sun-exposed walls and the bases of evergreen plants. Water can prevent these eggs from hatching.
- Spray liquid insecticide on individual plants: You should use a liquid insecticide or acaricide on any greenery infested with clover mites. Follow the label directions to avoid under-dosing or over-dosing the insecticide, and apply it at the beginning or end of the day so the plants don’t scorch.
- Clean debris: Keep your home’s foundation clean by removing plant debris and fallen leaves that can create hiding spots for clover mites. The first step in controlling outdoor clover mites infestation is to cut back vegetation outside near infested areas or entry points, such as windows and air bricks. Outside air vents, cracks, and crevices can be puffed with powder.
- Remove clove mites attractants: Maintain your lawn and garden by regularly cutting the grass and trimming the vegetation. Keeping your lawn mowed and trimmed will reduce clover and other vegetation that mites consume.
- Remove food sources: Reducing the clover mite population is possible by reducing the food source (clover and other plants). Choosing plants that do not attract clover mites, such as roses, chrysanthemums, junipers, yews, and geraniums.
You should keep in mind that clover mites are primarily a nuisance and do not pose a threat to pets or humans. Pest control professionals can offer tailored advice and assistance if you are dealing with a severe infestation or are unsure what steps to take.
How long do clover mites stay around?
A clover mite’s lifespan can vary depending on the environment and food availability.
Clover mites usually live for about two weeks and lay about 70 eggs. It may take between 1 and 3 weeks for an egg to become an adult. Adults and eggs may go dormant in the summer if temperatures soar too high.
In lower temperatures, their development may be slowed, but they can live for a few months. Their life cycle may continue as they feed on plant sap and lay more eggs.
How to prevent clover mite infestations
To keep clover mites at bay, follow these tips:
- Seal entry points: Check your walls, windows, doors, and foundations for gaps, cracks, and openings. Keep clover mites out by sealing entry points with caulk or weatherstripping.
- Invest in fine mesh screens: Install fine mesh screens on windows and doors to keep out clover mites while allowing fresh air to circulate.
- Maintain regular cleaning: Again, clean windowsills, door frames, and other potential entry points where clover mites may gather. If you notice any mites inside your home, vacuum them immediately to prevent them from settling.
- Keep your lawn and garden tidy: Invest time in maintaining your lawn and garden. Keep clover mites away from the yard by mowing regularly, removing weeds, and trimming vegetation.
- Keep the vegetation at a distance from the house: Make sure vegetation, such as clover, remains at a distance from the exterior walls of your home. Doing this reduces the possibility of clover mites moving directly from your plants to your house.
- Remove moisture: Reduce moisture in your home, as clover mites are attracted to moist environments. Avoid overwatering near the foundation, fix leaky pipes, and make sure proper drainage is in place.
- Do a routine inspection: Regularly check your home’s exterior for signs of clover mites or other pests. It is easier to control an infestation if it is caught early.
Combining these preventive measures can significantly reduce the chances of clover mites entering your home. In most cases, proactive prevention is more effective and easier than dealing with an established infestation.
Takeaways
- In addition to being garden pests, clover mites can infest homes seeking shelter;
- Moist lawns, damp soil, and surfaces prone to moisture are ideal for clover mites;
- These tiny red insects avoid direct sunlight due to photophobia;
- There is no danger to humans or pets from clover mite bites;
Image source: Steven Ellingson / Shutterstock.com
