Clover Mite

Scientific Name: Bryobia praetiosa

Order & Family: Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae

Size: 0.75 mm to 0.85 mm (about the size of a pinhead)

Clover Mite

Natural Habitat

Grassy lawns, clover fields, and the exterior/interior walls of buildings near heavy vegetation.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous; they feed on the sap of over 200 different plants including clover, grasses, and shrubs.

Behavior Patterns

Active in cool temperatures (spring and fall). They exhibit a red color due to their internal fluids and are known for crawling into homes in massive numbers when their outdoor environment becomes unfavorable.

Risks & Benefits

They pose no health risk to humans or pets and do not cause structural damage. However, they are considered a nuisance pest because they leave a permanent red stain when crushed.

Identified on: 3/12/2026