Clover Mites

What are Clover Mites?

The binomial name of a clover mite is Bryobia Praetiosa Koch. There is no other mite that is larger than the Clover Mite. They occupy the first place when it comes to being the largest in the landscape.

When the weather changes and it starts to rain outside, or the seasons change, or it is extremely hot outside – the clover mites start moving indoors. The clover mites walk around the windows, doors, and walls. Clover Mites love the cold weather outside that is why they leave as soon as it is cold outside. Dry summers are the time they crawl into human habitation.

How does a Clover Mite look like?

Clover Mites are extremely small in size. They grow about 1/30 inches in length. Their color varies from brown to red. These are a relative of the spider and tick family and are not classified as insects.

Clover mites have a flattened body with “scale-like hairs” on the top. Though the front legs of the clover mites resemble a lot like antennae, they are actually not that. During the hot, summer days it is very easy to locate them. They are extremely quick and can move within the spur of the moment.

Distribution

These mites are widely distributed and are found in South America, North America, Asia, Europe, Australia, and Africa.

Biology and Life Cycle

The clover mites are born from unfertilized eggs and are therefore known as parthenogenetic. Another interesting fact about clover mites is that they have a population that comprises only of females. They don’t live more than a month, and the adult clover mites are found outside for only two weeks or so. This is only applicable when the weather outside isn’t rainy or extremely hot.

The female clover mites lay eggs in the crevices and cracks of sidewalks, between the spaces found in walls, under the bark of the trees, and they are also found anywhere that is cool and away from the sun. The female lays as many as 70 eggs at a time. These eggs are laid during the winter months, and they hatch as soon as spring sets in. Another set of clover mites are born as soon as fall ends. Spring is the time when Clover Mites become a complete nuisance.

What do Clover Mites eat?

These are plant feeders and survive by sucking on the juices or sap from plants. They love the lawn grass as well as the clovers (that is why they are called as the Clover Mites), but they can also eat indoor trees and ornamental plants.

They are found mostly in soil that has been well-fertilized. They can neither bite humans nor pests. Clover Mites don’t cause any kind or form of damage to furniture, buildings, or household property.

Do Clover mites Bite?

Clover Mites pose no threat to humans, pets, or their belongings. They can’t bite or cause any kind of disease. Then what is it they can do? Clover Mites are a complete nuisance; they have the potential to leave behind ugly stains on your drapes, carpets, rugs, and other furniture if you smash them. They are extremely creepy to look at and have eight legs. The color of a clover mite can vary from brown, green, and red. Their front legs are twice as big and resemble antennae. However, they feed themselves on clover, ornamental plants, lawn grass, shrubs, and other plants.

Clover Mites vs Chiggers

There are two types of mites that can confuse you completely. One is the clover mites, and the other is the chigger mites.

The Chigger Mites are found outdoors and stay there. Clover Mites, on the other hand, invade homes when the weather outside is not suitable. Chigger mites look a lot like the clover mites. They are reddish and small in size. You can obviously see the chigger mites, but they are extremely small. You can spot clover mites only in groups.

Chigger Mites larvae are usually found in pastures, wooded areas, and other places that have weeds as well as tall grasses. Chiggers feed themselves on animals like snakes, birds, mammals, and even humans. The larvae of chigger mites have the potential to penetrate your skin and release a secretion that not only digests the skin cells but also breaks it down.

Signs of Clover Mites Infestation in your Home

These little creatures make it really hard for humans to see them. To get rid of them, you have to know that you have them in your house and garden. These mites don’t even bite so identifying them is a huge problem. Clover mites are usually seen during the warm, summer months because they can’t stand temperature that is above 39°. In most cases, clover mites are recognized by the stains they leave behind if you accidentally squish them.

The first step has to be to understand where you can find the clover mites. Outside your house, they gather around algae or mold covered surfaces, for example, roofs, cracks, and below the barks of trees. Take a good look at crevices and cracks of your building and homes. This is their most favorable breeding ground.

You can find them crawling in groups on a variety of different surfaces. Try to locate them on the window sills.

If your garden has vegetation that exceeds the length of 18 inches – 24 inches you are bound to have it. Another common sign is if your house is located in the east, south, and southwest direction.

Clover Mites can only survive if there is food, which is plants. You have to inspect your vegetation, plants, shrubs, and trees for these red-colored mites with eight legs.

The Effects of Clover mites Infestation

Clover mites have a lot of potential to damage your vegetation, plants, and crops. When they are found in large groups and go unnoticed your plants will suffer. They will not hesitate to enter your home through the smallest opening, and that is when the problem increases. Though, they don’t spread pathogens causing diseases they are a complete nuisance. It is time you deal with them.

How to Get Rid of Clover Mites

Of course, they are not welcome inside your homes. These ugly looking creatures possess no special talents to hurt you or your pets. But, do you really want to live with these spider-like red insects that can leave behind ugly stains? So, what are the ways you can get rid of the Clover Mites?

1. Use a damp cloth

Clover Mites can multiply very, very fast. So, if you find generations of clover mites living under your roof all you have to do is clean them with a mop. Start mopping your floors with disinfectants. This will remove the clover mites and take care of the reddish stain they are capable of producing. You can even carry out thorough vacuuming. Keeping them away from plant source will eventually kill them. Take great caution while disposing of the garbage. If you notice any infestation of clover mites, clean the area with boiling hot water.

Clover Mites enter your home through the smallest of spaces. If you find them crawling in your homes, it is because somewhere there is a crack. Look for it and get it sealed. You have to screen or block every area.

2. Use of Epsom salt and Hot water

If you feel something is crawling on your body but find no itching or redness, then the possibility is you have clover mites. Get them off your body by taking a nice hot shower. Use your loofah and add some Epsom salt to your bath water. Rinse thoroughly. For your hair, you can mix a few drops of vinegar intoxicated your bath water. The tea tree essential oil is also quite effective.

One can even use a deodorant that has Aluminum Chlorohydrate. The presence of any clover mites will be dealt with and the further invasion of them will be stopped right away.

3. Start vacuuming

Start by keeping your beds really clean. Changing bed sheets, pillow cases, blankets, and other things that you sleep on or regularly use should be washed with boiling hot water and detergents. While vacuuming your home, move aside every furniture and then carry on with your cleaning. Don’t leave behind drapes, upholstered furniture, rugs, and carpets. One more effective way of dealing with these buggers is by maintaining the temperature at home. The clover mites can’t survive in humid and hot climate, using a dehumidifier will help you sort out things.

4. Your air ducts need proper maintenance

Have you ever considered cleaning your air ducts? If not, then it is time that you do. Clean the air ducts or ask professionals to do it for you. It is better if you let the experts take care of the air ducts. It is also very important that you change the air filter in your air conditioner after every few months. The cold and dark atmosphere is very suitable for the clover mites. Keep in mind to check those undetected areas and keep them clean.

Another problem is an unclean air filter will blow out mold and dust. This is another perfect thing for clover mites. So, don’t let that happen. You can use special covers that can keep the dust mites away. This prevents the accumulation of pathogens as well as allergens, such as the clover mites.

5. Try out the freezing technique

If it is snowing outside, it can be of perfect advantage to you. Leave your carpets, rugs, and drapes outside. The weather outside will be enough to deal with every clover mite. Before you bring the carpets, drapes, and rugs indoors, give them a nice pat.

6. You can use steam to clean your house

A wide range of pests can be killed with steam. This includes clover mites. Choose a steam cleaner that will help you to get rid of the clover mites without causing any threat to your health.

Close Mites and everything that you need to know about them is present in here. Go through to understand how to deal with them.