Clover mites are not as likely to move through bare, loose soil as they are through soil that is supporting plants that touch the structure's foundation. Use of pea gravel can also discourage mite movement into the structure.
Sealing holes, cracks and gaps on the foundations, windows and doors, thus helping discourage mites from entering the structure. Making sure not to over-fertilize the lawn or ornamental plant areas since clover mite populations tend to do better in lawns that are well fertilized.
Abundant in well-fertilized lawns, clover mites get into houses through cracks around windows and doors, especially on the south and southwestern side of buildings. Because of their small size, even the tiniest of gaps may provide entry. The pests can also climb home siding to come inside through openings into attics and upper levels. Thick shrubbery around homes creates the perfect conditions for a clover mite infestation. Populations of the insects are at their peak in the spring and early fall, when plants are thriving.
These nuisance pests are not dangerous to humans , as they do not feed on blood like other species of mites. However, clover mites do tend to invade houses in large numbers and may also leave stains if crushed. While clover mites are not long-term infestation problems, when the mites are active it can be best to request assistance from the Orkin pest specialists.
Observance of the reddish colored clover mites crawling on surfaces such as windowsills and siding on the sunny sides of homes are the most obvious indicator of an infestation. Shape : Clover mite adults are oval shaped and about as small as the head of a pin. Legs : Eight legged. They typically aestivate, or enter a state of dormancy due to hot or dry weather, during the summer months.
They then become active again when fall weather arrives. For instance, in the northeastern states, they may enter the aestivation period in May and remain dormant until September. During cooler summers, though, they may skip the aestivation period altogether.
Clover mite invasions happen most often during spring, but they may occur during the fall as well. In northern states, invasions are also possible during cool summers. In southern states, like Florida, they are possible during warmer winters. When it comes to clover mites, prevention is key. We put together some tips for keeping clover mites off of your property, so you can hopefully avoid an infestation all together.
Clover mites gravitate towards yards with favorable living conditions. To keep them from even coming near your yard, there are a few important steps to take. Most importantly, avoid over-fertilizing your lawn and garden, or use a fertilizer that repels clover mites. Landscape with plants and shrubs that clover mites avoid, such as barberry, chrysanthemum, geranium, juniper, marigold, petunia, rose, yew, and zinnia.
Leaf litter should be cleaned up regularly, especially in areas around windows and doors. Providing supplemental watering to areas where eggs may be can also help to reduce explosions in populations. Some such areas are dry, sun exposed walls and around evergreen trees. When trying to prevent clover mites from entering your home or business, creating a perimeter is definitely a good idea. Create a plant-free border by keeping all vegetation at least 18 to 24 inches away from the foundation and outer walls.
If possible, remove any grass and weeds from that border as well, and replace it with loose soil or gravel. It is important to be especially vigilant with these methods on the south and southwest sides of a building, as they get the most sun exposure and are therefore attractive to clover mites. Clover mites are extremely tiny, so they can enter homes and businesses through virtually any crack or gap.
As such, it is important to fix any cracks in the foundation and outer walls. Gaps around windows and doors should also be sealed. Be sure to use tight-fitting window screens, and replace any damaged weather stripping. If clover mites do find their way into your home or business, it is best not to squish them. Vacuums are a great method for removal.
This provides protection from the summer heat as well as from freezing winter temperatures. The overwintering eggs will hatch and give rise to a spring generation that upon completion will aestivate for the summer.
Another generation will be completed in the fall and the resulting offspring will be genetically identical to the mother. Larvae are geotropic so they either move down or drop from the egg site to herbaceous plants where they begin to feed.
The mites tend to invade homes and indoor facilities if host plants are dried up or cut off. Once inside, they move upward as the sun warms the surface above them or move to a warm surface until they find a protected area. If the new surface becomes too hot or cold, the mites roam in search of a new, more favorable location.
They are generally active during spring and fall and are usually inactive during summer and winter. Clover mites can be especially abundant in heavily fertilized lawns, but have many hosts plants including many different lawn grasses, ornamental flowers, clover, dandelion, shepherd's purse, strawberry, daffodil, salvia, alyssum, and primrose, to name only a few.
Clover mite feeding damage appears as small, irregular silver streaks in the leaves, but may also occur on flowers. Figure 5. Characteristic feeding damage produced on garden impatiens by the clover mite, Bryobia praetiosa Koch. When clover mite populations increase, so does damage; large populations can cause areas of a lawn to turn brown and extensively injured foliage usually turns yellow or brown and then wilts.
The injury on turf can sometimes be mistaken for winter kill. Figure 6. Damage to lawn caused by clover mites, Bryobia praetiosa Koch.
Photograph by University of Nebraska - Lincoln. The most significant problem from clover mites occurs when they move indoors, usually as a result of a dramatic change in weather or habitat factors. Clover mites are not structural pests, do not directly harm people, transmit diseases, damage or feed on clothing, draperies or carpeting, nor do they infest stored products.
They do have an annoying effect when crushed, leaving red stains as a result. These stains are sometimes confused with blood and this is why people usually get concerned, thinking they are dealing with a blood sucking insect. Clover mites are harmless and the red stains are the red pigments from their body fluids. For starters, thick vegetation or plants that are known to attract clover mites should be removed in an 18 to inch band around the perimeter of the home.
Likewise, homeowners should inspect the structure, including the foundation, window frames and siding for cracks that may serve as entry points. These spaces should be properly sealed to prevent clover mites from laying eggs or entering the home. If homeowners notice any signs of clover mite activity on their property, they should contact a licensed pest control professional to resolve the issue. For more information on other types of mites, click here.
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