Q&A for How to Get Rid of Clover Mites

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  • Question
    What does a baby clover mite look like? I think it resembles a very, very tiny black dot which moves. How long does it take for a clover mite to reproduce?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    It does look like a tiny black dot with the naked eye. Magnified, it looks more like a reddish or brown tiny tick. They have 8 legs, with the front pair being twice the length of the other pairs. They leave a red stain when smashed. It takes about a month to cycle through a whole generation.
  • Question
    I have an ivy plant in my little house. Will the mites eat it?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    They will do the most noticeable damage in well fertilized lawns. They probably won't feed on your plant indoors. If you do notice them on your plant, use the control methods mentioned above.
  • Question
    Do clover mites kill annual plants and flowers?
    Matthew Hester
    Community Answer
    Clover mites feed on a number of plants including clover, lawn grass, ornamental plants, and shrubs. However, they normally do not kill these plants, serving as more of a nuisance than a threat.
  • Question
    Are clover mites hazardous to human health?
    Community Answer
    No, they are merely a nuisance, they cannot harm you.
  • Question
    How can clover mites live inside your house if you don't own any plants?
    Matthew Hester
    Community Answer
    If you don't have any plants inside your house, look around for other sources of food the clover mites may be relying on. In particular, look for small patches of mold or mildew hidden in damp, hidden areas of your home.
  • Question
    How can I be I completely sure these are clover mites?
    Community Answer
    Look at them. Take a picture with your smart phone, blow the picture up to see details, then compare them to pictures on the internet.
  • Question
    Do they feed on plant stem and leaves?
    Community Answer
    Clover mites feed by sucking sap out of plants such as clover, grass, trees, and shrubs.
  • Question
    I think my house is infested. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Get a good pest control, but know most of the work may be your effort and not theirs.
  • Question
    Do clover mites bite?
    Community Answer
    No, they don't. Clover mites are more of a nuisance than a danger.
  • Question
    How do I stop clover mites from crawling all over my outdoor furniture?
    Community Answer
    Try dusting or sprinkling your furniture with baking soda or boric acid.
  • Question
    If I pay to spray clover mites one year, will they come back every year?
    Community Answer
    It's very likely that they will come back again, but it's impossible to say for sure.
  • Question
    Will the cold kill off clover mites?
    Community Answer
    Freezing temperatures cause the mites to become dormant but several generations are born during their active period.
  • Question
    Can I get rid of clover mites by spraying them with water?
    Community Answer
    Mix 1 part water and 1 part vinegar. Spray the mixed solution directly onto infested surfaces.
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