Clover Mites: How to Get Rid of Clover Mites

Clover mites (Bryobia praetiosa) are a species of spider mite that feed on plants and can infest homes. A clover mite is about the size of a pinhead, making them hard to spot with the naked eye until they’ve gathered in large numbers. They are oval-shaped with front legs that are much longer than their back legs, giving them the appearance of antennae.

All of these reddish-brown pests are females who reproduce asexually and gestate eggs on their own. Adult clover mites can lay eggs at will, meaning that they can generate large populations to infest homes very quickly. Unlike chiggers, clover mites won’t bite humans or pets but they leave an unsightly red stain behind when you crush them.

It can be hard to tell that you have clover mites until you see a large swarm of them, which means that you have an infestation. The clearest sign of an infestation is small, red stains on your walls, carpets, curtains, or other surfaces. Look for these marks around doorways, window sills, or any other crevices in your home because clover mites prefer gathering in these spots.

Clover mites can also infest your garden and suck the moisture from your plants. If you notice silvery-white discoloration on the foliage of your plants, you may have a clover mite infestation.

Many factors can cause clover mite infestations, including:

1. 1. Changing temperatures: Clover mite activity will increase as temperatures cool. The pests are drawn out of dormancy in the early spring and fall, and as they dwindle, try to make their way inside and lay eggs.
2. 2. Moisture: Clover mites thrive in moisture and congregate in places like bathrooms or kitchens where there is moisture. Piles of moist organic matter (like piles of leaves) also attract clover mites.
3. 3. Organic matter: Clover mites prefer materials like compost, organic mulch, or other rotting substances. Even rotting wood can attract these insects. Learn more about compost.

Clover mite populations grow quickly, making them difficult to get rid of once they infest an area. Due to this, preventative measures are the most important step in clover mite control.

1. 1. Remove plants from your home foundation. If possible, place your plants at least two feet away from your house’s foundation to prevent moisture buildup from rainfall or watering. Trim back tall branches or leaves that can lead into your windows.
2. 2. Border your home with non-organic material. If you can’t avoid having plants close to your foundation, use dry, non-organic material to separate them from the foundation. Surrounding the perimeter of your home with pea gravel can help your plants retain moisture without attracting the mites. Avoid using heavy fertilizers, which can attract clover mites.
3. 3. Seal holes or gaps. Inspect the border of your home for any holes or gaps where insects may be able to enter. Clover mites are tiny so it may be difficult to completely seal them out of your home. Closing any crevices and weather-stripping your windows and doors are a good start.

Large, indoor clover mite infestations can be difficult to eradicate without using toxic chemicals, especially if these tiny red bugs infiltrate and lay eggs in the walls of your home. If you suspect that you might have a severe clover mite problem, call a professional pest control service. You can curb smaller indoor issues or outdoor problems with these DIY home remedies.

1. 1. Boric acid: Sprinkle boric acid around compromised areas of your home to eliminate these bugs. Boric acid repels clover mites because it creates a protective barrier to keep them out of treated areas.
2. 2. Blast of water: Use a garden hose to spray any errant clover mites that you find crawling around your exterior walls, plants, or lawn. The spray should wash them away quickly and easily.
3. 3. Insecticides: Use an organic insecticide to treat your lawn and the entry points of your home to control large populations of clover mites. Apply it to your shrubbery in the mornings or evenings when temperatures are cool to prevent burning your plants.
4. 4. Vacuum: Use a vacuum cleaner to suck up any of these little red bugs that you see (but avoid crushing them) if you have a small indoor infestation. Empty the contents of the vacuum filter into a sealed bag and discard it immediately.
5. 5. White vinegar or dish soap: Mix white vinegar or dishwashing soap and water together in a sprayer bottle and spray it directly onto areas that show signs of clover mites. If you’re using this mixture indoors, suck up the clover mites using a vacuum to avoid staining your interior with their red pigment.

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the MasterClass Annual Membership and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.