What Are These Tiny Red Bugs in My Springfield Home?

April 15, 2020

In: Clover Mites

You may be carrying on with your normal everyday activities when, out of nowhere, tiny red bugs start appearing around your home. They’re tiny, no bigger than a pinhead, and they can range in color from brown to bright red. They look like something out of a science fiction movie, and you have no idea how many of them are hiding in the walls and cracks and crevices around your home. What are these mysterious bugs and why are they in your home? These pests are called clover mites, and here are answers to some clover mite questions.

What Are Clover Mites?

Clover mites are from the arachnid family. When you see them crawling around, at first glance, you may think they’re tiny spiders. They are not actually spiders, though they are related. The good news is, clover mites aren’t dangerous to humans. They don’t bite, and they aren’t known to carry dangerous diseases or bacteria. However, they are considered a nuisance pest since they can multiply rapidly and quickly take over a home. And when they are squished, they leave a red stain. If you have hundreds around your house, you’re likely to squash a few by accident even if you’re trying not to.

Are They Dangerous?

Other than the stains, they don’t damage property. In fact, clover mites can’t survive for very long indoors. They may invade in large numbers, and you could find your house swarmed with these little red bugs. But they’ll disappear again before long. However, the cleanup can be difficult once they have died.

What Attracts Clover Mites to Homes?

If clover mites can’t survive inside for very long, why do they come inside in the first place? Clover mites appear in Springfield homes during changes in the season or weather. Unusually hot days or heavy rains can drive them inside in search of shelter. They’ll hide in cracks and crevices around the exterior of your home, as well as inside your walls or in cracks along the baseboards or crevices of furniture. They eat plants and may survive inside your home by feeding on houseplants. Usually, seeing a single clover mite is a sign that there are many more nearby. Clover mites can invade in large numbers, making them a more noticeable problem.

How Can You Get Rid of Them?

You can vacuum clover mites to get rid of them without risking a stain. If you have pets, frequent bathing may help prevent clover mites from coming inside. Boric acid can also help prevent them. If you have a serious clover mite problem, or you find that they are continually getting inside, call American Pest Solutions for a long-lasting solution. We offer year-round plans that can keep your home free of pests so you never have to worry about these strange red bugs and the problems they might cause.