What are these tiny red bugs?
written by Tim Ure, Franchise Owner –Mosquito Authority/Pest Authority – Des Moines
As daily temperatures rise here in Ankeny this spring you may be seeing more pest activity. One common pest we see this time of year are Clover mites (Bryobia praetiosa). These tiny pests are commonly referred to as insects but they are arachnids belonging to the spider mite family. They’re very small, about 1/32″ with an oval body, and bright red when active. Their front legs are longer than their other legs which people often mistake for antennae.
“But I have a healthy lawn, so I shouldn’t see pests.” Clover mites actually thrive in well-fertilized lawns, enjoy sunny, south facing walls and are often found near buildings. These sap suckers feed on plants like clover, grasses, dandelions and other lawn vegetation. They don’t naturally live indoors, but often invade homes through tiny cracks around windows, doors or foundations.
While you don’t want to share your home with pests, Clover mites are harmless to people and pets and don’t carry disease. Since crushing them can leave red streaks it is best to vacuum them up and empty the canister into a garbage bag and place outside. The best prevention for these pests is to seal cracks, keep your lawn trimmed and keep vegetation 12-18″ away from your foundation or have your local pest professional do a treatment for them. These occasional invaders are not usually covered under your regular pest control treatments. If you decide to do nothing you can expect them to die off once it gets above 80°F. If you need help with your pests, contact me today!
Tim Ure
Franchise Owner – Des Moines
W: 515-897-0288 l C: 641-387-8355
https://www.mosquito-authority.com/locations/des-moines-ia/