Clover Mite

Scientific Name: Bryobia praetiosa

Order & Family: Order: Trombidiformes; Family: Tetranychidae

Size: 0.75 mm - 0.9 mm (about the size of a pinhead)

Clover Mite

Natural Habitat

Found in lawns with lush, well-fertilized grass; commonly enters homes through cracks in windows and foundations during spring and autumn.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous; feeds on the sap of over 200 different plant species including grasses, clover, and various ornamental plants.

Behavior Patterns

Parthenogenetic (females reproduce without males); they appear as tiny moving red specks. They do not bite humans but move into buildings in large numbers when temperatures change.

Risks & Benefits

They are nuisance pests that do not cause health risks or structural damage. However, when crushed, they leave a red stain (pigment from their bodies, not blood) on surfaces like curtains and carpets.

Identified on: 1/12/2026