How to Identify Clover Mites

Clover mite information and control - Active Pest Control

What is a Clover Mite?

Clover mites are tiny, reddish-brown pests that can become a nuisance when they invade homes in large numbers. They invade structures by the thousands, mainly in spring and fall. They are often spotted on windowsills, walls, and other exterior surfaces, leaving a characteristic red stain when crushed. Understanding clover mites, where they live, and how to prevent and control an infestation is crucial for maintaining a safe home.

Clover mites, scientifically known as Bryobia praetiosa, are tiny arachnids closely related to ticks and spiders. Clover mites are distributed worldwide and found throughout the United States. Unlike other mites, clover mites do not bite humans or pets but can become a significant nuisance when they invade homes in large numbers. If you’re experiencing an infestation, our residential pest control services are here to help.

Once considered an occasional invader, clover mites are now a serious pest due to the housing boom associated with suburban sprawl and the installation of well-fertilized lawns growing close to the foundations of houses. This proximity to homes allows them easy access indoors, especially during cooler months when they seek warmth and shelter.

What Does a Clover Mite Look Like?

Clover mites are very small, about the size of the head of a pin, making them difficult to see with the naked eye. They are oval-shaped and have a distinctive bright red or reddish-brown color. One of their most notable features is their long front pair of legs, which can be mistaken for antennae. These front legs are much longer than the others and are often used to identify these tiny red bugs. 

Habitat

Understanding clover mites’ habitat and life cycle is essential for effective control and prevention. These mites are commonly found in areas with lush vegetation and are known to overwinter in protected areas such as crevices in walls or around windows.

What Attracts Clover Mites?

Clover mites are primarily attracted to heavily fertilized lawns, gardens, and other lush vegetation. They feed on various plants, including grass, clover, and other broadleaf plants. Clover mites prefer the sunny side of houses and buildings, basking in the warmth. During the cooler months, they seek shelter in cracks and crevices of buildings, often leading to indoor infestations. Warm weather in early spring can significantly increase clover mite populations, leading them to invade homes for food and shelter.

Where Do Clover Mites Live?

Clover mites are typically found outdoors, living in grass, shrubs, and other plants. They are especially prevalent in well-manicured lawns with a thick layer of grass. When the weather becomes too hot or cold, clover mites migrate to more protected areas, such as the crevices of exterior walls, under window frames, and around doorways. They can also be found in gardens with ornamental plants like barberry, arborvitae, alyssum, and zinnia. Indoors, they congregate on windowsills, where they are often first noticed.

How Long Do Clover Mites Live?

The life cycle of a clover mite includes several stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Clover mites reproduce through a process known as parthenogenesis, where unfertilized eggs develop into female mites. This leads to rapid population growth, as a single female can produce up to 70 eggs. The entire life cycle of a clover mite, from egg to adult, can be completed in just 30 days, depending on environmental conditions. Clover mites are known to aestivate – to become dormant – during the hot summer, resuming activity when temperatures become more favorable.

Health Risks and Dangers

While clover mites are not known to pose significant health risks to humans or pets, their presence can still be a cause for concern due to the sheer number of mites that can invade a home. Clover mites are pests not because they bite or cause disease but because they can invade a structure in unbelievable numbers. In 1954, one single bedroom was estimated to have 250,000 mites crawling on the floor! Since clover mites are so small, homeowners may not even recognize them in their houses until they have spread. However, what most people are likely to notice are the red stains clover mites leave behind.

Do Clover Mites Bite Humans?

One common question homeowners ask is, “Do clover mites bite humans?” The answer is no; clover mites do not bite humans. Unlike other mites or insects that feed on blood, clover mites feed on plant material and do not have mouthparts capable of biting or stinging humans. However, their presence can still cause discomfort, as they can enter homes in large numbers and leave red stains on walls, furniture, and other surfaces when crushed.

It’s important not to confuse clover mites with other pests, such as fleas. If you’re wondering, “What do flea bites look like?” they typically appear as small, red, itchy bumps, often in clusters or lines, usually on the lower legs and feet. While clover mites don’t pose the same risks, their sheer numbers can be a nuisance when they invade your living space.

Are Clover Mites Harmful to Pets?

Clover mites are not harmful to pets. They do not bite or transmit diseases to animals. However, they can become a nuisance when they invade indoor spaces where pets live and play. While your pets are unlikely to suffer any direct harm from clover mites, the presence of these pests in large numbers can cause stress and discomfort for you and your pets.

How To Get Rid of Clover Mites

The most effective way to eliminate clover mites and prevent their return is to seek the help of a professional pest control company like Active Pest Control. We have the knowledge, experience, and specialized tools to identify the source of the infestation, implement targeted treatments, and provide long-term solutions to eliminate the problem and prevent future infestations.

Clover Mite Prevention Tips

Here are some effective strategies to keep your home safe from these nuisance pests:

Maintain a Vegetation-Free Buffer Zone
Clover mites are attracted to lush vegetation, so creating a buffer zone around your home can help keep them at bay. Keeping vegetation away from your home’s foundation can reduce the likelihood of clover mites entering your home. Trim grass, shrubs, and other plants back 18 to 24 inches from the foundation. Consider replacing grass or ornamental plants with less attractive options like gravel or mulch, which create a less inviting environment for mites.

Seal Cracks and Crevices
Clover mites often enter homes through small cracks and crevices around windows, doors, and foundation walls. Identify and seal entry points: Regularly inspect your home for potential entry points, such as cracks in the foundation, gaps around windows and doors, and other crevices. Sealing these areas with caulk or weatherstripping will help prevent clover mites from gaining access to your home. Pay special attention to areas where clover mites are commonly found, such as the sunny side of your home.

Reduce Fertilization
Over-fertilized lawns and gardens can attract clover mites, so avoiding excessive fertilization is essential. This can help reduce the attraction of clover mites around your home.

Monitor Mite Populations
Keep an eye on mite populations in your garden and lawn, especially during the early spring when clover mites are most active. If you notice an increase in mite activity, act to reduce their numbers before they can migrate indoors. Vacuum and clean inside your home: Regularly vacuum carpets, furniture, and other surfaces to remove clover mites. Be sure to empty the vacuum bag or canister outside to prevent mites from re-entering your home. Clean surfaces where mites have been found, paying particular attention to windowsills and walls.

Use Plants That Repel Mites
Some plants are less attractive to clover mites and can be used to create a natural barrier around your home. Consider planting species like alyssum and zinnia, which are known to repel mites. This can serve as an additional layer of protection against these pests.

Use Insecticides
Insecticides can effectively control clover mites, mainly when applied to exterior walls, windowsills, and other areas where mites are known to congregate. Look for products labeled explicitly for clover mite control, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe application.

Regular Professional Inspections
If you’re facing a severe clover mite infestation, our experienced flea, tick and mite control experts are here to help. We’ll assess your situation, recommend the most effective treatments, and work to eliminate the problem swiftly. We specialize in residential pest control and offer tailored solutions to meet your needs. Whatever challenges you face, we’re here to assist you.

FAQS

What Can Be Mistaken for Clover Mites?

Clover mites are often mistaken for other small, red pests like spider mites or red velvet mites due to their similar size and color. However, clover mites are unique in their behavior of invading homes in large numbers and leaving a red stain when crushed.

How Do You Tell the Difference Between Clover Mites and Bed Bugs?

Clover mites and bed bugs are quite different in appearance and behavior. Clover mites are tiny, bright red, and have a characteristic long pair of front legs, while bed bugs are reddish-brown, larger, and have a more oval, flattened body. Bed bugs are typically found in bedding and furniture and feed on human blood, whereas clover mites feed on plants and do not bite.

How Can You Tell the Difference Between Clover Mites and Chiggers?

While both clover mites and chiggers are small and red, clover mites are harmless and do not bite, whereas chiggers are parasitic larvae that bite humans and cause itching. Chiggers are usually found in grassy or wooded areas and attach to skin, whereas clover mites are plant feeders often found on walls and windowsills.

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Bark & Stone Centipedes

Bark & stone centipede information  - Active Pest Control

Bark & Stone Centipedes in Georgia

Stone and Bark Centipedes, along with all other centipedes (Class Chilopoda), have one pair of legs per body segment. This differentiates them from millipedes, which will have two pairs of legs per body segment. They have a great variation in size. Their feet end in little claws/barbs to help them get a better grip on prey. In Georgia, most species of either one of these centipedes are black, brown, tan, red, or orange in color and they are flattened from top to bottom. Stone and bark centipedes eat insects and other small arthropods, usually their size or smaller. Some of the bigger species of bark centipedes can go after larger vertebrates (bats, frogs, rats, mice, etc.). Using their last pair of legs many stone and bark centipedes can grab or pinch a threat to get a better grip before biting or as an alternative to biting. They tend to be sharp/pokey and that is usually all the deterrent needed!

Bark & Stone Centipede Habitat

Stone and bark centipedes are found across North America. They usually live outdoors and can be found under rocks, logs, leaf piles, debris piles, etc. Any area that is high in moisture is the perfect location for these centipedes to reside.

Bark & Stone Centipede Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Stone and bark centipedes are voracious predators. They are beneficial to have around the outside of your home, but they do present some risk. Centipedes are able to bite and inject venom which can cause pain and irritation. Most of the bark or stone centipedes in Georgia are usually not strong or large enough to bite, but it is not impossible. If you are bitten, unless you are allergic to the venom, it will be equivalent to a mild bee sting. Some of the larger species out west can be of medical significance.

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Rabbit

Rabbit identification and information  - Active Pest Control

Rabbits in Georgia

The eastern cottontail rabbit weighs between 2-4 pounds. They are brown, tan, or gray in color with a white, fluffy tail. They have pretty long ears, but the ears are not as long as the ears of hares. Their back legs are long and designed for jumping and the young are hairless. The young of hares have fur, and their ears are much longer and larger than those of rabbits and are black at the tip.

The primary food source of rabbits is plant-based material (bark, twigs, leaves, seeds, fruits, and vegetables), though they have been known to eat arthropods (insects and related species) on occasion. In colder weather, they will eat a wider variety of food due to the lack of available resources.

Rabbit Habitat

Hares and rabbits can both be found in North America. Rabbits prefer to live near open, abandoned fields that have tall grass and plenty of foliage on the outskirts for protection. A major part of a rabbit’s habitat is having plenty of brush to escape into when predators come around. They can also be observed in forests or on farmland that meets their basic needs. Their nests are ground burrows (often built by other animals) in grassy fields, thickets, or along the edge of the forest. The inside is lined with grass, weeds, and/or fur. Hares do not dig or live in burrows underground but instead spend their whole lives living above ground.

Rabbit Habits, Threats or Dangers

As you may have guessed, rabbits are agricultural pests due to their diet. When food is scarce, or when living in close proximity to humans, rabbits can destroy gardens, damage lawns, and encourage predator species, like bobcats or foxes, to come around. If you are having a problem with rabbits on your property, always contact your local wildlife control experts.

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Indian Meal Moth

Indian meal moth identification  - Active Pest Control

Indian Meal Moths in Georgia

Adult Indian Meal Moths have dual coloration on their wings. The front half of their wings (closest to their head) is white, light gray, or cream-colored. The back half of their wings is a rusty red, copper, gray, or brown color, usually with gray or black banding. The head and thorax (second body segment of an insect) also have a coppery appearance. The adults are close to 0.5-0.6 inches long which is roughly the size of mature larvae (juveniles). The larvae are yellow or cream-colored with a dark red or brown colored head. The adults, pupae, and eggs of Indian Meal Moths do not feed. The larvae are the pests. The larvae feed on the stored products in which they live. However, this is not what makes them a pest! It is their other activities that can make them a nuisance.

Indian Meal Moth Habitat

Larval Indian Meal Moths are mostly found indoors inside stored goods in the pantry, storage closets, granaries, etc. They have a wide variety of stored goods that they infest, such as oatmeal, dried fruit, seeds, flour, dog food, birdseed, spices, grains, and so forth. The adults can be seen flying around the pantry or home looking for a place to lay their eggs. The adults are attracted to light and may be seen in rooms that have nothing to do with the infestation. The pupae (resting stage between larvae and adult) can be found in locations all around the home since the larvae can migrate before they begin to pupate.

Indian Meal Moth Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

As the larvae crawl through and feed on stored products they spin silk. This silk traps frass (poop), shed exoskeletons (insect skin that must be shed in order to grow), and empty egg cases. This matted mess of silk and debris is what causes these insects to be such pests. They contaminate way more food than they ever actually consume. Indian Meal Moths in the pupal stage can also be considered pests because they can travel to different areas of the home and can be confused with other pests, like clothes moths.

If an infestation is present in your Georgia home, locate and discard all infested material. Contact your local pantry pest control experts for help or advice with Indian meal moths!

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Sawtoothed Grain Beetle

Sawtoothed grain beetle identification  - Active Pest Control

Sawtoothed Grain Beetles in Georgia

Adult Sawtoothed Grain Beetles are small, red to brown colored beetles ranging from 0.25-0.3 cm in length. Identification can be aided by looking at the thorax (second section of an insect right behind the head) of the beetle. They have small projections coming off either side of their thorax in a row. They have a wide variety of stored goods that they infest; many are the same goods that Indian Meal Moths frequent. Oatmeal, seeds, chocolate, dog food, bird seed, cereal, and so forth all fall prey to these beetles.

Sawtoothed Grain Beetle Habitat

Adults are mostly found indoors inside of stored goods in the pantry, storage closets, granaries, etc. The most common location to see them is in the kitchen inside whatever they are using as a food source. Sawtoothed grain beetles are commonly found in food manufacturing, storage, and retail facilities, as well as pantries in homes. A typical discovery of a sawtoothed grain beetle infestation occurs when adult beetles are discovered crawling around a pantry area.

Sawtoothed Grain Beetle Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Their small size allows them access into all sorts of stored goods. They either gain access through small holes or imperfections in the packaging or they wait until the item has been opened and then make their way inside. Their feeding can decrease the value of the product, make it unfit for use, and even encourage fungi and bacteria growth where they damage different goods.

If you have sawtoothed grain beetles in your Georgia property, contact your local pantry pest control experts for help.

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Funnel Weaver Spider

Funnel weaver spider  - Active Pest Control

Funnel Weaver Spiders in Georgia

Funnel Weaver spiders possess a dark-colored abdomen (back section of a spider), usually with stripes and intricate patterns, and a brown, tan, or yellow-brown cephalothorax (front section of a spider), which will possess two dark-colored stripes. The body of a funnel weaver spider ranges between 10-20 millimeters in length for females and 9-18 millimeters for males. Identification of funnel weaver spiders can sometimes be aided by looking at the spider’s web. They will have a sheet web (this looks like the top sheet on a bed) that has a funnel or cone shape incorporated at one side. Funnel weaver spiders can be large in size, which can lead homeowners to confuse them with wolf spiders. One differentiating characteristic is the visible spinnerets (the organ spiders use to spin webs/silk) on the back of funnel weaver spiders. These spinnerets stick off the backside of the spider and may look like an additional segment of the abdomen or like a tail. In comparison, other spiders’ spinnerets are usually hidden under the abdomen.

Funnel Weaver Habitat

These spiders only come inside as incidental pests, usually as temperatures start getting cooler. They are usually found outdoors in tall grass, shrubs, bushes, evergreen trees, behind siding, in woodpiles, and other areas that offer adequate protection. They are a web-dwelling spider, and that is most often where they are going to be found.

Funnel Weaver Spider Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

These spiders like to build webs in areas that can inconvenience people as they go about daily outdoor activities. They build their webs in areas where people outdoors may not notice them; if a person happens to accidentally disturb the web it can result in a bite, not because the funnel weaver is being aggressive, but because it thinks you are a prey item in the web. They rely on quick speed to run through their web and envenomate their prey. If they are scared they will also rely on this speed to escape, which can scare unsuspecting homeowners. They can also build ‘unsightly’ webs in areas that are otherwise aesthetically pleasing. If a funnel weaver spider does happen to bite, it is no worse than a bee sting (unless you are allergic to the venom or the bite becomes infected). Contact your local spider exterminators for help with funnel weaver spiders.

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Barn Spiders

Barn spider identification  - Active Pest Control

Barn Spiders in Georgia

Barn spiders possess a rusty red to brown abdomen (back section of a spider), usually with less of a pattern than other orb weavers in the Neoscona genus, and a cephalothorax (front section of a spider) that is covered with small rusty red to brown hairs. The legs are typically lighter than the body in color and have a red to brown coloration closer towards the spider’s body (the femora). The body of a barn spider is between 1-2 centimeters in length for females and 0.5-1.5 centimeters for males. Barn spiders are predators of insects and other arthropods (insects, spiders, crustaceans, millipedes, etc). They are not hunting spiders like some other species but instead spend most of their time on their webs or hiding.

Barn Spider Habitat

These spiders are only going to be found inside as incidental pests. They will usually be found outdoors in gardens, in between bushes, trees, on gutters, and other areas that get plenty of insects. If a barn spider does happen to make its way into your home it was not intentional and it will not be able to survive. These spiders have a pretty unique behavior when it comes to building their webs. They will build their webs close to dusk and will take it back down at dawn by consuming the web. When they are not on their webs they can be found hiding around gutters, eaves, and other safe, dry locations.

Barn Spider Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

These spiders like to build webs in areas that can inconvenience people as they go about daily activities. They can get in areas such as windows, door frames, walking paths, and other areas around the home. Most people are scared of them because of their features and size, but they are beneficial predators and will not bite unless provoked. If bitten, the pain will be similar to that of a bee sting, but the bite is not medically significant unless the person is allergic or the bite becomes infected.

Always contact your local spider control experts for help with barn spiders.

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White Rot Fungi

White rot fungus information  - Active Pest Control

White Rot Fungi in Georgia

To an untrained professional, rot of any kind can be extremely difficult to identify! Some things you may notice with white rot fungi can include the wood becoming a bleached, white color with the presence of black lines between the bleaching and the wood, or wood becoming soft or fibrous (spongy or stringy). This fungus feeds on the lignin (a component of plant cells) and hemicellulose (a component of plant cells) of wooden material.

White Rot Fungi Habitat

This fungus usually lives and feeds on hardwood in the crawlspace like oak, ash, etc. It can also be found on exterior wood, such as porches/decks, windows, doors, trim, rafters, subflooring, etc.

White Rot Fungi Threats or Dangers

The moisture content of the crawlspace must be 28% or greater in order for this fungus to survive. As the fungus grows, the hyphae (thread-like filamentous structures that provide nutrients for fungi) start attacking and breaking down the wood. They break down the inner cellular components of the wood, compromising the structural integrity. These fungi need four things to survive: wood, which will serve as food, optimal moisture at or above 28% moisture content, ideal temperatures between 60-90℉, and oxygen.

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Writer Spider

Writer spider identification  - Active Pest Control

Writer Spiders in Georgia

Writer spiders possess a black and yellow abdomen (back section of a spider), usually with numerous yellow spots, and a cephalothorax (front section of a spider) that is covered with small silver or white hairs. The legs are typically black with yellow bands on different areas of the legs. The body of a writer spider is between 0.9-1.2 inches in length for females and 0.5-0.9 centimeters for males. Identification of writer spiders can sometimes be aided by looking at the spider’s web. Their webs will often time possess a zigzag pattern (stabilimentum) right down the middle.

Writer Spider Habitat

These spiders only come inside as incidental pests. They are usually found outdoors in gardens, bushes, in between trees, and other areas that get plenty of sunlight and insects. If a writer spider does happen to make its way into your home, it was not intentional and it will not survive. They are a web dwelling spider and that is most often where they can be found. They will sit right in the center of their web and wait for prey to become ensnared. These spiders have strong webs compared to many other spider species, with some webs reaching up to 23 inches (that’s close to 2 feet!) in diameter.

Writer Spider Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

These spiders like to build webs in areas that can inconvenience people as they go about daily activities. They can get in areas such as windows, door frames, walking paths, and other areas around the home. Most people are scared of them because of their sheer size, but they are beneficial predators and will not bite unless provoked. If bitten, the pain is similar to that of a bee sting but the bite is not medically significant (unless the person is allergic to the venom or if the bite becomes infected).

Writer Spiders have an egg sac that is golden orange/yellow in color. They usually place it close to their web and support it with many strands of silk. Since these spiders take such care to position their egg sacs it means that sometimes the sacs can be pretty tricky to get rid of!

Always contact your local spider control experts for help with Writer Spiders.

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Brown Rot Fungi

Brown rot fungi identification  - Active Pest Control

Brown Rot Fungi in Georgia

To an untrained professional, rot of any kind can be extremely difficult to identify! Some things you may notice with brown rot fungi can include: wood becoming a brownish hue or color, you may see cracks or cubical pieces of wood as the wood begins to dry out which crush easily into a powder when touched, and/or leathery-looking wood. This fungus feeds on the cell wall components (cellulose and hemicellulose) of wooden material.

Brown Rot Fungi Habitat

This fungus lives and feeds on softwood: pine, fir, etc.

Brown Rot Fungi Threats or Dangers

The moisture content of the crawlspace must be 28% or greater in order for this fungus to survive. As the fungus grows, the hyphae (thread-like filamentous structures that provide nutrients for fungi) start attacking and breaking down the wood. They break down the inner cellular components of the wood, compromising the structural integrity. After the brown rot is far enough along and begins forming cubes in the wood, it becomes what people often refer to as dry rot. Do not let the term ‘dry’ rot trick you; moisture must still be present in order for this to happen! Dry wood does not rot. These fungi need four things to survive: wood, which will serve as food, optimal moisture at or above 28% moisture content, ideal temperatures between 60-90℉, and oxygen.

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