Nashville, Mt. Juliet, and Murfreesboro, TN
Clover mites, scientific name Byrobia praetiosa, are tiny insects that infest plants and occasionally invade your home or yard. In appearance, clover mites are about .75 mm long, red or green in color, and have a long pair of front legs.Inside the home these mites are typically found on windowsills in a sunny, warm area of the house where they typically move about at a quicker pace. These mites are more prevalent during the spring and summer when weather is warmer. Clover mites mostly feast on plants, specifically clover, and sometimes grass. They suck the honey from clover as their source of nutrients. According to Richard M. Houseman, an Urban Entomology Specialist at the University Missouri, clover mites are more prevalent in areas where soil is rich in nutrients and heavily fertilized. A home with well fertilized lawn that lines the foundation of a home or building could be the source of an infestation inside. Although clover mites may invade your home, the good news is that they do not bite nor will they deteriorate your home. Also, clover mites cannot reproduce inside due to the cooler temperature. However, they may leave stains behind on carpet, walls, and furniture when they are smashed, becoming more of a nuisance rather than a pest.
Clover mites typically enter the home through any openings including cracks around windows and doors, but you may not even be aware of their entry point. Some things you can do to help prevent invasion of clover mites in your home is to seal up any cracks or crevices that allow the mites entry into your home, followed by regular pest control management conducted by a professional. Another factor to help keep clover mites out of your home is to not have grass or shrubs directly up against your home, especially the foundation. Instead, create a grass free zone, about 18-24 inches wide, with flowerbeds that contain plants unappealing to clover mites, such as marigold, spruce, rose, chrysanthemum, or petunia. Also, lining your flowerbeds with mulch or pea gravel, in which the clover mites have a difficult time traveling across.
However, clover mites may still enter your home and you may need to consult a professional pest control expert that can help identify problem areas around your home to eliminate and manage the infestation of the clover mites. Regular maintenance such as pest control can help eliminate clover mites, among other pests, that may enter your home. Please be advised that use of pesticides should be left to professionals as they are trained how to properly mix and use pesticides in a manner that is safe for you and your family.