Clover Mite

Scientific Name: Bryobia praetiosa

Order & Family: Order: Trombidiformes; Family: Tetranychidae

Size: Approximately 0.75 mm to 0.85 mm (smaller than a pinhead)

Clover Mite

Natural Habitat

Found outdoors on grasses, clovers, and other plants. Frequently enter homes through cracks around windows, doors, and foundations, especially during spring and autumn.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous; they feed on the sap of various plants including clover, grasses, and ornamental flowers.

Behavior Patterns

They are active primarily in cooler weather (spring and fall). When squashed, they leave a characteristic reddish stain, which is their body pigment, not blood. They often gather in large numbers on sunny, south-facing walls.

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to humans and pets; they do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases. However, they are considered a nuisance pest when they invade homes in large numbers and can stain fabrics or walls red if crushed.

Identified on: 2/7/2026