Eliminate and Prevent Clover Mites in NJ and PA with Cooper
What are Clover Mites?
Clover mites are tiny insects that commonly appear during the early spring and occasionally during the fall and can be found on grass, trees, shrubs, flowers, and agricultural crops. They are very small and reddish-brown in color and the younger ones are bright red. They are extremely common in late spring on the East Coast of North America, being found in and around residential homes. Clover mites are plant loving arachnids that feed on vegetation such as clovers, hence the name of these tiny pests. If you're seeing large groups of tiny bright red dots crawling around, you may be seeing clover mites.
Why should I be concerned with clover mites?
Clover mites are not a threat to humans and pets since they feed on clover and grasses. Infestations usually start outdoors and in severe cases, they may move inside of your home after heavy rain or when sudden changes in weather and vegetation occur. The only issue cloves mites pose towards homes and commercial properties is that they leave a red stain when crushed. If they are crawling on windowsills, which is a common place to find clover mites, they can stain curtains, light colored paint, or wallpaper. If you find clover mites in your home, vacuum them up instead to avoid unsightly spotting. Sometimes these red stains can be mistaken as evidence of bed bugs.
Do clover mites bite?
Luckily, clover mites do not bite humans or pets. They are herbivores that are more interested in your landscaping that your blood. If you see clover mites in or around your home, they are more of a nuisance than anything else. They are not wood-destroying insects or cause any structural damage to houses or commercial buildings. In addition, clover mites cannot fly. They crawl around vegetation and concrete slabs outdoors, looking for plant life such as well fertilized grasses to feed off of.
Why do I have clover mites?
Pictured Above: Clover mite infestation in a basement, Photo Credit: Kansas State University
One of the most common reasons for clover mite infestations is from well fertilized lawns. They live where plants thrive in areas such as clovers, ornamental flowers, clovers, daffodils, and more. When their plant source dries up or relocates, they seek alternative forms of food which is why they explore your home. Tiny cracks and gaps around the exterior of your home provide access for tiny clover mites to enter. Being as they are only about 0.75-0.85mm in length, small openings that may not be as prominent to the human eye are easy for clover mites to navigate.
How does Cooper treat clover mite infestations?
When you have a clover mite infestation, Cooper can treat the infestation with our targeted One-Time Clover Mite Service. Please call our office at 1-800-949-2667 for more information about the service or to set up treatment. You can also contact your landscaping company for additional suggestions.
How soon can you get here?
At Cooper Pest Solutions, our goal is to provide fast, convenient service, with the peace of mind that you are in good hands. We understand that pest problems can be stressful and overwhelming, so we strive to provide same day or next day service.
How can I prevent clover mites in the future?
Since grass and weeds that grow next to foundations provide favorable conditions for clover mite development, clearing them can help prevent clover mites in the future. There are certain types of plants and flowers that repel clover mites and these are beneficial since they do not provide the mites with a food source.
- Mite repelling flowers include geranium, rose, zinnia, marigold, chrysanthemum, petunia, and salvia.
- Mite repelling shrubs include barberry, juniper, spruce, yew, and arborvitae
As with all other pests and wildlife issues, you should seal your home as much as possible to prevent accessible entry points.