What are Clover Mites?

What are Clover Mites?

Mites and More

Mites are arthropods in the class arachnid. Members of this class have eight legs, simple eyes (instead of compound eyes), lack wings, and have segmented bodies broken down into two parts (unlike the three in insects). There are over 100,000 different species of arachnids including spiders, ticks, scorpions and, of course, mites. Some types of mites are even human parasites such as chiggers or human scabies, while other are simply a nuisance. Known scientifically as Bryobia praetiosa, clover mites are a nuisance kind of mites that are frequently found in and around homes during the spring and autumn months. Interestingly, clover mites are all females that reproduce parthenogenetically. This means that they all develop from unfertilized eggs with no need for a male of the species.

Appearance

Clover mites are notably tiny, measuring in at only roughly 0.75mm in length and oval in shape. Out of their eight legs, the two front legs set them apart from many other mites as they are much longer than the others. They are reddish-brown in color and have a pair of pinchers at the front of their faces.

Diet and Habitats

True to their name, clover mites tend to feast on clover, grasses, and other plants. Due to this, they are often found in yards with lots of lush foliage and well-fertilized lawns. Most typically, infestations of these arachnids happen outdoors but, they can cover your home and outdoor furniture, becoming a huge nuisance. Thankfully, clover mites are not dangerous or destructive, but they can leave red stains when crushed on surfaces – which is why it is important to be careful when disposing of any individuals you find.

Prevention

Clover mites most commonly infest outdoors but can occasionally also make their way into homes as well. By ensuring that your home is well secured, you can greatly reduce your risk of these arachnids finding their way in. However, due to the fact that they are about the size of a pin head at the largest, it can be exceedingly difficult to completely secure your home. For the best protection against these pests, you need pest control treatments to repel these hungry arachnids from your home and yard. Our services at Pointe Pest Control provide year-round protection against these colorful arachnids as well as a host of other common Illinois pests. For more information on how we can treat clover mites at your home, call us today.

Citations

Gomez, C. and Mizell, R. (2017) Clover Mite – Bryobia praetiosa Koch, University of Florida Entomology and Nematology Department. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Available at: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/mites/clover_mite.htm (Accessed: April 19, 2021). Ogg, B. (no date) Clover Mites , Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County. Univserity of Nebraska-Lincoln. Available at: https://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/resources/clovermites312.shtml (Accessed: April 19, 2021). Townsend, L. (no date) Clover Mites, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. Available at: https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef627 (Accessed: April 19, 2021). The Difference Between an Insect and an Arachnid (2020) Allan’s Pet Center. Available at: https://allanspetcenter.com/the-difference-between-an-insect-and-an-arachnid/ (Accessed: October 2020). Taxonomy (2020) Basic Biology. Available at: https://basicbiology.net/biology-101/taxonomy (Accessed: October 2020).