Clover Mite

Natural Habitat

Outdoors in grass, clover, weeds, and various plants; indoors they may be found near windows, walls, and other surfaces, especially when seeking refuge from extreme weather or seeking new food sources.

Diet & Feeding

Plant feeders, primarily consuming sap from a variety of plants, including clover, grasses, fruit trees, and ornamental shrubs. They do not feed on humans or animals.

Behavior Patterns

Clover mites are known to migrate indoors in large numbers during certain times of the year, usually in spring when plants are lush, or in fall when outdoor vegetation dies back. They are not known to bite or carry diseases but can be a nuisance due to their sheer numbers and the red stains they leave when crushed. They often gather on sunny sides of buildings.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks: None to humans or animals directly, as they do not bite or transmit diseases. However, they can be a significant household nuisance pest, and crushing them leaves red stains on surfaces due to their pigmented body fluids. Benefits: Part of the herbivore food chain in outdoor ecosystems, but generally not considered beneficial to humans.

Identified on: 10/31/2025