Frequently Asked Questions About Clover Mites

What you need to know about clover mites

Clover mites are tiny red pests that are relatives of ticks and spiders. They live outdoors and are regular intruders to Fairfax, VA yards, where they are difficult to control and eliminate.

What are clover mites?

Clover mites are about the size of a pinhead. They are oval in shape, and most are reddish-brown. Adults have eight legs, with their front legs larger than the rest of their legs. These lawn and landscape pests use their specialized mouthparts to feed on the juices of clover, grasses, and other plants.

An interesting fact about clover mites is that the females do not need the help of a male to reproduce. Clover mites reproduce through parthenogenesis. A single female can lay 70 eggs at a time, and those eggs develop into new breeding adults in about 30 days. Clover mites and their ability to quickly reproduce make it challenging to control these pests once they move into a space.

Are clover mites dangerous?

Clover mites feed on plants, but they rarely cause major damage to the plants they are feeding on.

When clover mites live in your Virginia yard near your home’s exterior, it is common for them to move inside, usually after being attracted by moisture. Since clover mites are so small, it is easy for them to move indoors through tiny cracks they come across in the home’s exterior. Clover mites can also move indoors on potted plants that are brought in.

Inside, the biggest concern with these tiny creatures is that they are easily squished, causing red stains on floors, walls, curtains, rugs, and upholstered furniture.

Why do I have a clover mite problem?

Clover mites hatch from their eggs and emerge to begin feeding and breeding in the spring. Since the damp soil next to the foundation of a home often provides overwintering spots, it is easy for them to find a way inside.

A home’s sunny exterior walls provide them with the warmth they seek after a long cold winter. As they move along exterior walls, they find openings. Once inside, an infestation can develop with difficult to control numbers. Regular, year-round pest control services are the best way to avoid problems with these unwanted tiny pests.

Where will I find clover mites?

Clover mites live in damp soil and feed in grassy areas. Some of the most common habitats to find large numbers of clover mites are parks, golf courses, athletic fields, and our yards.

Clover mites lay their eggs in the late fall, where they will overwinter behind tree bark, under fallen trees, and in the soil next to the foundation of homes, sidewalks, walkways, and driveways.

After entering a home, they typically gather around warm, sunny windows.

How do I get rid of clover mites?

The best way to get rid of clover mites from your Fairfax, VA area property is with the help of a professional. No matter how big or small the infestation is, we can provide you with the experience and services needed to eliminate them.

You can count on SPRK Pest Solutions to provide you with quality, guaranteed pest control that is effective and eco-friendly. We will always address your pest control needs with thorough inspections, treatments designed to meet your home’s unique needs, and follow-up treatments.

Contact us today to learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control options or request a free quote! Trust us to provide you with the best pest control in Fairfax!

How can I prevent clover mites in the future?

Clover mites are outdoor pests and can find their way into any of our Fairfax yards. Though preventing problems with these pests is tricky, there are some things you can do to make your property less habitable to them and to keep them out of your house.

To discourage clover mites from making a home on your property, keep your grass cut short and cut back weeds and other plants away from your foundation. Build an 18-20 inch crushed stone barrier between vegetation and your foundation. To keep clover mites out of your home, inspect its foundation and seal any cracks or crevices you discover. To further help keep clover mites out, make sure door sweeps are on all exterior doors and repair any damaged trim.