They’re tiny red bugs, and they’re everywhere! What are these microscopic invaders that seem to be all over the place starting in the late spring and early summer? They’re clover mites. The good news is they don’t pose a threat to humans. The bad news is they certainly can be a nuisance.
Fortunately, it is possible to get rid of clover mites on your Iowa property. So if you’re dealing with this tiny red bug in your home or business, how do you get rid of clover mites?
What Do Clover Mites Look Like? Tiny Red Bugs!
Many people first realize they have clover mites when they’re outside and see a tiny red moving bugs or dots. It may be on your patio, on your siding, or a leaf on your shrubbery. “What’s that red dot?” you might ask yourself – and then the red dot starts moving. If you see a tiny moving red dot, it is most likely a clover mite.
Clover mites are about 1/30th of an inch long—which is smaller than a pinhead. If you can get close enough to look, you’ll see that clover mites are round and have a distinct reddish-brown color. They have eight legs and belong to the arachnid family, but they’re significantly smaller than any spiders you might find around your home.
How Can I Get Rid of Clover Mites?
One nice thing about clover mites is they’re a seasonal pest, so they won’t bother you all year. The typically duration of the clover mite is a few weeks but you will see many generations annually. Unfortunately, clover mites’ small size and large population makes them very difficult to control. They don’t have a centralized habitat or breeding location, which makes it impossible target one specific area. They’re usually scattered all over the yard.
The best ways to get rid of clover mites from your Iowa property are targeted insecticide treatments:
- Store-bought insecticides: These can be effective, but again, it’s difficult to get rid of all of the clover mites on your property and make sure they stay gone. Often, if it seems like you got rid of a clover mite infestation, they reappear in a matter of several weeks.
- Professional pest control: Experienced exterminators have dealt with clover mites before and know what works and what doesn’t. Exterior treatment and perimeter sprays can help to create a barrier between your home and a number of invasive pests. If you’re looking for a more substantial impact on your infestation and longer-lasting results, make sure you call a trusted residential extermination company.
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Clover Mite FAQs
Got questions about clover mites in Iowa? We’ve got answers! If you don’t see it covered here in our Clover Mite FAQs, be sure to call us today to speak with one of our Des Moines area pest control experts.
To reduce the number of clover mites that make it into your home, be sure to start your landscaping several inches away from the exterior of your house. Don’t allow any greenery to touch the siding and be sure to seal any holes or cracks that may serve as entry points for clover mites and other pests. If you like to have your windows open, make sure that screens are tight fitting and free of holes, tears, or rips.
If you have flourishing greenery near your home, you may begin to notice clover mites on its exterior or even on the interior windowsills. Clover mites feed on vegetation, which is why they’re so prevalent in the spring and summer. Fresh grass, sprouting shrubs, and blooming bushes are an all-you-can-eat buffet for clover mites.
Clover mites do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases. However, they become a nuisance in large numbers and may cause staining to curtains, wall paint, or furniture. Given their inconsequential size, clover mites don’t usually cause any problems in your regular routine.
Experienced Clover Mite Control in the Des Moines Area
If you need reliable pest control in the Des Moines area, contact the experts at Springer. Our team of professionals can help you determine a regimen to keep your home free from clover mites and other pests. With the help of Springer, your property will remain pest-free* year-round. Set up your free inspection now!
How Do I Get Rid of Clover Mites (Tiny Red Bugs) in Iowa?
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