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)

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