Although clover bites do not bite and don’t pose any direct threats to humans, they can be a severe nuisance when they infest a building. They are a common household pest that tend to be attracted to lawn fertilizer. Usually red or green in color, clover mites have elongated legs and tiny scales on their abdomen. While it can be hard to spot them because of how tiny they are, these mites are often found in sunny windowsills throughout homes.
Clover Mite Life Cycle
Clover mite eggs are often nestled in cracks or crevices of sidewalks, under tree bark, or between building walls. When temperatures get warm enough, clover mite eggs will hatch. Springtime is when clover mites become the biggest problem for homeowners. In addition to being found in windowsills, clover mites inside of homes can be found in curtains, linens, and furniture.
Preventing and Controlling Clover Mites
For the most part, clover mites prefer to live outdoors and feed on plants. When they are smashed, fully grown adults will leave behind a signature red stain. For this reason, it’s important to vacuum them up instead of smashing them inside your home.
There are several ways to help prevent clover mites, most of which entails keeping a tidy yard. Removing unruly vegetation as well as keeping shrubs and grass trimmed can help prevent clover mites from finding your property suitable to invade. Sealing your home off to clover mites by closing up any cracks or crevices can also help keep clover mites outside.