Clover Mites
NuisanceWhat it is
Tiny reddish mites that feed on grasses and ornamental plants. They often invade buildings in large numbers around windows and foundations but do not bite people or damage household items.
How to recognize it
Tiny reddish mites crawling on sunny walls and windows in spring and fall. They stain when crushed.
Where you will find it
Lawns, foundations, and sunny walls.
Why it matters
They do not bite people or damage the house, but large numbers can invade and leave stains.
What to do
- Do not crush stink bugs or box elder bugs, which can leave odors and stains. A vacuum or soap-and-water cleanup is fine.
- Note where they are gathering, such as sunny walls, windows, or attic access, and take a photo.
- Contact a licensed pest professional to find entry points and treat the exterior. Sealing and exterior treatment is best done by a technician.
When to call a professional
- Large numbers appear in the home each fall.
- You find them in the attic or wall voids.
- You want them stopped before the season.
Related pests
Boxelder Bugs
Black-and-red true bugs associated with boxelder and some maple trees. They often gather on sunny exterior walls and enter buildings in large numbers to overwinter.
Read more →Cluster Flies
Slow-moving flies that enter buildings in late summer or fall to overwinter in attics and wall voids. Their larvae develop as parasites of earthworms outdoors; indoor adults do not breed in garbage or drains.
Read more →Lady Beetles
Predatory beetles, many of which are beneficial because they feed on aphids and other plant pests. Some species, especially multicolored Asian lady beetles, enter buildings in large numbers to overwinter.
Read more →Occasional Invaders
A broad category for pests that enter buildings incidentally but usually do not reproduce indoors. Examples can include boxelder bugs, lady beetles, millipedes, ground beetles, and other seasonal invaders.
Read more →This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Pests vary by region and situation, and an on-site inspection is the reliable way to know what you have.