Clover Mite
Scientific Name: Bryobia praetiosa
Order & Family: Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae
Size: 0.75 mm to 1 mm (slightly smaller than a pinhead)

Natural Habitat
Grassy lawns, clover patches, and the exterior/interior walls of buildings, especially in sunny areas during spring and fall.
Diet & Feeding
Herbivorous; they feed on the sap of over 200 different plant species, primarily grasses, clovers, and common ornamental plants.
Behavior Patterns
They are most active during the cooler months of spring and autumn. They often congregate in large numbers on sunny sides of buildings and can accidentally invade homes through windows and doors; they are parthenogenetic, meaning they reproduce without mating.
Risks & Benefits
They do not bite humans or pets, do not transmit disease, and do not cause structural damage. However, they are considered a nuisance pest because they leave a reddish-orange stain if crushed on furniture, curtains, or carpets.
Identified on: 1/10/2026