Although the mites typically invade homes during the spring, they may also appear during cooler periods of the year. Cool summers favor clover mite survival, while warm, dry summers cause inactivity or aestivation. Please note that these large population outbreaks of mites can be confused with similar outbreaks of the predatory mites Balaustium spp. that exhibit a lot of the same behavioral characteristics. They also resemble clover mites in body size and color. At least a 20x hand lens is required to determine the difference between clover mite and the Balaustium spp.
Eggs: The eggs are bright red, spherical shaped, and about 0.12 mm in diameter.
Immature Stages: The larval form is distinctive because its dorsal body setae are longer, slender, and serrate. Larvae are also bright red, disc-shaped and six-legged. Clover mites go through two nymphal stages, protonymph and deutonymph, which are eight-legged like the adults.
Females lay about 70 eggs each, singly or in masses, in dry protected areas with enough sun exposure for them to overwinter during cool temperatures. This provides protection from the summer heat as well as from freezing winter temperatures.
The overwintering eggs will hatch and give rise to a spring generation that upon completion will aestivate for the summer. Another generation will be completed in the fall and the resulting offspring will be genetically identical to the mother.
Larvae are geotropic so they either move down or drop from the egg site to herbaceous plants where they begin to feed.
The mites tend to invade homes and indoor facilities if host plants are dried up or cut off. Once inside, they move upward as the sun warms the surface above them or move to a warm surface until they find a protected area. If the new surface becomes too hot or cold, the mites roam in search of a new, more favorable location.
The mites are very sensitive to temperature and may be killed if exposed to temperatures above 39°C. Under temperatures below 24°C, the eggs are stimulated into dormancy. They are generally active during spring and fall and are usually inactive during summer and winter.
When clover mite populations increase, so does damage; large populations can cause areas of a lawn to turn brown and extensively injured foliage usually turns yellow or brown and then wilts. The injury on turf can sometimes be mistaken for winter kill.
The most significant problem from clover mites occurs when they move indoors, usually as a result of a dramatic change in weather or habitat factors.
Clover mites are not structural pests, do not directly harm people, transmit diseases, damage or feed on clothing, draperies or carpeting, nor do they infest stored products. They do have an annoying effect when crushed, leaving red stains as a result. These stains are sometimes confused with blood and this is why people usually get concerned, thinking they are dealing with a blood sucking insect. Clover mites are harmless and the red stains are the red pigments from their body fluids.
Lawn areas next to foundations, the base of the outside foundation and outward to a distance of 10 to 20 feet, may need insecticide treatment. Treating cracks and holes on buildings in which mites may have crawled can also be very helpful in reducing the problem.
Insect and Mite Management Guide for Ornamentals
A vacuum cleaner is also a helpful way to get rid of clover mites without crushing them. If this method is used, after collecting the mites, the sweeper bag should be destroyed by burning or removing it to a safe disposal area away from buildings to avoid further problems.
Large populations can also be reduced by providing supplemental watering to areas where clover mites develop, such as dry areas at the base of sun exposed walls and around evergreens.
Also, planting flowerbeds with plants that are not attractive to clover mites might be helpful, such as geranium, chrysanthemum, zinnia, marigold, salvia, rose, petunia or shrubs such as barberry, juniper and yew.
Authors: Celina Gomez and Russell F Mizell III, University of Florida
Photographs: Rayanne Lehman, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org;
James Kalisch, University of Nebraska - Lincoln; Lyle. J. Buss, University of Florida
Project Coordinator: Thomas R. Fasulo, University of Florida
Publication Number: EENY-437
Publication Date: June 2008
Copyright 2008 University of Florida
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Department of Entomology and Nematology
Division of Plant Industry
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adult
adult Balaustium mite
eggs and adult
nymph
damage to ornanmental
damage to grass