Little Red Bugs Invading DC-Area Homes in the Spring
07/03/2019
What is a clover mite?
Clover mites are close relatives of ticks and spiders and are true mites, not insects. They are small household-invading mites that have long front legs. To the naked eye they are no more than tiny red bugs and appear no larger than a pinhead.
For the most part they feed on clover, grassy lawns, plants and weeds and tend to appear by the thousands in the spring and fall months.
Why do I have a clover mite problem?
Clover mites will crawl from the ground to invade your home through cracks and tiny openings around windows and doors.
Inside, you may find them crawling around window sills, on walls, or directly on windows. No larger than a pinhead, these red bugs will leave behind a tell-tale stain when smashed.
On the exterior, you may find thousands of tiny red bugs congregating in large numbers on siding, brick walls and other outside surfaces. These household mites are often attracted to the sunniest side of the house or foundation.
Are clover mites dangerous?
Clover mites are nuisance pests. Their penchant for invading homes and businesses in large numbers makes them so. The good news is that they cannot bite and are not harmful to humans or pets.
They do not cause structural damage. They may leave stains on walls, carpets and furniture when or if they are accidentally crushed.
During the spring and fall, females lay vibrant red eggs in dry, protected cracks and crevices, most popularly around bricks and under siding. When they hatch, clover mite offspring are identical clones of their mothers.
U.S. clover mite populations are comprised of solely females. Clover mites are parthenogenetic reproducers which means eggs do not require fertilization by males.
How do I get rid of clover mites?
Clover mites can be a particularly difficult pest to eradicate. That's because they they tend to infest homes in significant numbers. It is important to locate and seal potential entry points around the home. However, because clover mites are so tiny, they will get through even the smallest of openings. Treating clover mites is typically done from the exterior with a residual insecticide, paying special attention to doors and windows. Sometimes pest control technicians will spread a granular material onto the grass or mulch within 1 foot of the foundation. Contact us today to learn more about our clover mite control in Washington D.C., Baltimore, and throughout Maryland and Virginia.
Can I do it myself?
Do-it-yourself methods of clover mite control are rarely successful. Many of the over-the-counter pesticide products available for consumers to buy are not an adequate means to control clover mites. That's because they are not customized or suited to treat the particular species you are having a problem with. American Pest's trained pest control professionals seek out and eradicate clover mites that are residing in or around your home and property. Oftentimes, this eliminates the need to use pesticides on the interior of the home.
How soon can you get here?
At American Pest, we pride ourselves on our speed and delivery of service. For that reason we make every effort to be with you the same or very next day.
Is the treatment safe?
We put your health and safety first: every product used by American Pest has been registered by the EPA for pest control use. We then follow a strict set of guidelines in every application of product to ensure that no harm will come to your family or pets. Furthermore, our state-accredited training and continuing education programs set us above the rest. All our pest control professionals are registered and licensed by the state or local jurisdictions where we provide service. Many have achieved Applicator Certification under the category of Industrial, Institutional, Structural and Heath Related pest management.
How can I prevent this in the future?
Preventing clover mites from invading your property can be difficult. You can reduce the number of instances by creating an area between your foundation and lawn that is free of grass and weeds. An 18-20" gravel or stone barrier between the lawn and the foundation will help reduce the incidences of clover mites.
Also, sealing any cracks around windows and doors with caulking materials can help deter these nuisance pests. It won't necessarily resolve the entire problem.
American Pest professionals will consult with you to provide a customizable solution to your tiny red bug problem using our S.T.A.R. system of integrated pest management.
