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“They Might be Mites”
ne of the occasional signs of
spring is the appearance of
clover mites on the south or
Owest side of the house, or more
likely, in the house on the window sills or
counters.
Clover mites are very tiny arachnids
that live and reproduce outdoors, where
they feed on sap from grasses and clover.
In one of life’s rich ironies, clover mites
are especially numerous in lawns with a
heavy growth of succulent, well-fertilized
grass. They do not cause any apparent
harm to turfgrass but, on occasion, do
wander from the lawn to the house and
become another accidental invader.
Description:
Size: Very small (1/64 inch long) but
th
visible to the naked eye
Color: Dark red to rusty brown
Shape: Soft, oval, and flat from top to
bottom
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Donald Lewis, Department of Entomology
Iowa State University
Photo by John Obermeyer, Purdue University
Legs:Very long front legs that are held
forward and resemble antennae.
Marks: Wavy lines and paddle-like hairs
on the body
Clover mites are a harmless and
temporary nuisance or annoyance.
The worst thing about clover mites is
the reddish stain they leave if they are
crushed. The stains are noticeable on
white woodwork or walls and are difficult
to wash away. Clover mites cannot bite
or sting; they do not carry diseases;
they do not infest stored foods; they
cannot attack the house structure,
furnishings, or houseplants.
Wanderlust
When the weather conditions get just
right, thousands (it only seems like
millions) of mites begin a slo-o-o-o-w
march through the landscape. This
must be the arachnid equivalent of
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IPMA Connection • 1st Quarter, 2021