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What Are Those Tiny Red Bugs?

red clover mite in sand

Have you noticed tiny red bugs crawling around in, on or around your home? If you have, you’re probably wondering what in the world they are and if they are cause for concern.

Have you noticed tiny red bugs crawling around in, on or around your home? If you have, you’re probably wondering what in the world they are and if they are cause for concern. Clover mites are no bigger than the tip of a ballpoint pen and are usually seen inside a home on window sills, on windows themselves or on walls. Outside, they are often seen in the thousands on surfaces such as siding or brick walls.

What is a Clover Mite? – Little Red Bugs

Clover mites are part of the mite family and are relatives of ticks and spiders, which is why many people think they are little red spiders, but they’re actually mites!  These tiny red bugs might look overwhelming but thankfully that’s not the case.  They are quite tiny and are no bigger than the size of a pinhead.

Clover mites are one of those insects that are really an annoyance. They do not bite and don’t do any structural damage to your home. However, if they are crushed in the carpet, they can leave behind a stain.  They simply feed on grass and lawns, plants and weeds, and various types of clovers, which is why you’ll often see them around your lawn and along the side of your house.

While clover mites don’t pose any known risks, that doesn’t mean you want them crawling around or inside your home. There are some preventative things you can do around your home to try to keep this pest out.

  • Seal up any cracks, holes or other potential entry points

  • Reduce moisture around your home and your home’s foundation

  • Create a stone or gravel barrier 18-20” wide around your home

Another route to take when trying to keep these bugs out of your home is to contact St. Louis pest control professionals. With proper treatment methods, we can keep these bugs out of your home.

Are Clover Mites Dangerous?

Clover mites can seem overwhelming and be quite annoying, but thankfully they aren’t dangerous.  They are known as nuisance pests because they like to invade homes or businesses, but they can’t bite and they can’t do any physical or structural damage.  That being said, because they are red they can stain surfaces if squished.

Do Clover Mites Bite?

No.  Thankfully clover mites cannot bite humans or pets.

Why Do I have a Clover Mite Infestation?

Every year clover mites spawn in the thousands in any given lawn.  They often are looking for suitable places to feed and also to make home away from the elements.  This often means you’ll see them crawling around cracks and openings around your homes windows and doors.  A lot of the time you’ll find these clover mites searching for sunlight and warmth which means you’ll see them crawling on a brick wall. So if you notice that your seeing a lot of these tiny red insects crawling along your window sills, then you might have to do something.

How To Get Rid of Clover Mites:

As mentioned earlier, clover mites aren’t the most disturbing of pests, but they can be quite annoying.  If you’re seeing quite a few of these lil red bugs getting inside your home or your simply tired of dealing with them, then I would recommend the following things:

  • Contact our professional pest services.
  • Seal any cracks or gaps in your windows or foundation that the clover mites could be crawling in. 
  • Spray your foundation with an insect spray to help prevent clover mites from getting in.

Once clover mites are in your home, it can be tough to get rid of them. This bug is known to invade a structure pretty quickly. They are often seen in groups of hundreds to thousands. Since clover mites can stain if you try to squish them, the best thing to do is to vacuum up as many as possible and then contact Rottler Pest & Lawn Solutions. They can help you get rid of clover mites and any other insects or rodents that might be pestering you.

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