How to get rid of clover mites naturally.

How to Get Rid of Clover Mites Naturally (Home and Garden)

So, you need to get rid of clover mites from your home and yard.

Those little buggers are leaving behind stains everywhere. And you have no idea where they’re coming from.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn:

  • How to identify them from other mites
  • Why you have clover mites
  • Home remedies get rid of them naturally
  • How to kill, manage, and repel them from your patio, deck, yard, home, and car
  • Other ways to keep clover mites away
  • And more

This is probably the most detailed DIY clover mite guide on the Internet, so feel free to bookmark this page for easy reference later.

And if you have any questions, you can leave me a comment.

Sound good? Let’s get mite-free.

Last updated: 6/21/20.

What’s a clover mite?

A clover mite is a common pest found across the United States.

They’re also called “concrete mites” because they look like small bugs on concrete, where they’re easily seen.

It lives in the garden but can infiltrate homes, businesses, and even medical structures.

The main problem with them is that they’re extremely tiny so they’re hard to see. Most people don’t even realize they have a mite infestation until they’re accidentally crushed.

This is when they leave behind a red pigment and possibly stain furniture, walls, paint, and other surfaces.

Clover mites can also damage lawns, ornamental flowers, and other vegetation in large numbers. They’re commonly found on concrete, walls, and within the grass.

Unlike red spider mites, clover mites do NOT bite. But since they’re so similar in appearance, people get confused and assume they were bitten by a clover mite.

Other names

Because this mite is so widespread and spans a huge diversity, there have been many nicknames created for them.

The clover mite has a few other aliases that they’re commonly called:

  • Red spider mites (mistakenly)
  • Spider mites
  • Red mites
  • Concrete mites
  • Concrete spiders
  • Brown mites
  • Brown clover mite
  • Window mite
  • Red clover mite
  • True velvet mite
  • Red velvet mite
  • Rain bugs

Regardless, they all refer to the same mite.

What do they look like?

Clover mite macro.
Clover mites are everywhere during high season.

Clover mites have a distinct appearance that separates them from other mites.

They’re 0.75mm on average when fully grown at adult size and have an elongated body with an ovular shape.

There’s a noticeable pair of front limbs pointing forward which look like antennas, which leads to confusion. The younger mites are a brownish color.

As they mature, they turn bright red. They can be seen with the naked eye, but are very difficult without a brightly colored background that contrasts their body color. They’re about the size of a pinhead needle in diameter.

Life cycle

Clover mites have life cycles similar to any other mite.

After sexual maturity, the adults mate and the female deposits eggs. She can lay up to 70 eggs at a time after mating. This allows their population to expand quickly and contributes to the vast number of mites found on surfaces like sidewalks.

Eggs are deposited when the temperatures are warm (80 degrees F) around the summer and fall.

The eggs hatch quickly and clover mite larvae emerge. They begin feeding on plant matter right away and consume.

After 30 days, the nymphs become fully mature adults depending on the environment. This quick maturity time allows clover mites to breed nonstop.

Adults become active when the warmer season approaches. You may notice that the hotter the weather, the more clover mites are out and about. You’ll see them climbing on windows, doors, walls, and more.

Because they can quickly reproduce, this contributes to a quick takeover.

Female mites reproduce by parthenogenesis. This means they can become impregnated and lay eggs without male fertilization.

The winter doesn’t kill them either.

Clover mites overwinter and hatch in the springtime. Springtime mites aestivate where they go inactive when the temperatures are too hot and their air is dry.

So clover mites have evolved to protect themselves during the summer and winter with summer hibernation and winter overwintering.

Where do clover mites lay eggs?

Clover mite laying eggs.
Eggs can be found in cracks and crevices.

These mites deposit their eggs in the tiniest cracks found in sidewalks, concrete, asphalt, walls, buildings, tree bark, and anything else they can widget between.

Logs and natural structures can provide shelter for their huge numbers of eggs when manmade structures aren’t present. The eggs can handle cold, winter temperatures so the cold doesn’t kill them.

Where do they live?

Clover mites feed on grassy vegetation (lawns, leaves, clovers, etc.) and can be found on their host plants.

They can also be found in sidewalk cracks, concrete crevices, windowsills, doors, and more, especially if they’re overwintering or summer hibernating.

Clover mites come out and invade homes, apartments, businesses, and other buildings after heavy rain.

Although they’re microscopic, you can still see them with a sharp eye. You can use a magnifying glass to get a closer look. Most people don’t notice them until they smush one and red pigment is smeared all over their countertops, walls, or windows.

Any thick vegetation that grows near your home can be a point of entry for them.

They can enter your home in very large numbers and you may not even notice until you smear their pigment all over your furniture. They prefer lit areas that have plenty of sunlight.

Do they leave behind a trail?

Clover mites will leave behind a red pigment when squashed. This is common when you sit on them or wipe a surface where they’re present.

Although they don’t chew up fabrics, the stain they leave behind can deface and damage sensitive materials.

And this is one of the main reasons why people hate these mites. When they infest a home, they come in huge numbers and can stain a bunch of surfaces.

Where are they found?

Clover mites are found all across the US.

They’ve evolved to rapidly adapt to different climates and because the female can lay eggs regardless of males. They’re one of the larger feeding pests found in the US.

How can you tell the difference between clover mites, springtails, and chiggers?

Clover mites vs chiggers

Chigger vs. clover mite.
Chiggers look very similar to clover mites, but have a few differences.

You can tell the difference between clover mites vs. chiggers because clover mites are visible to the naked eye and hang out on the grass, concrete, sidewalks, stone, home walls, and other surfaces.

Chiggers are usually hiding in brush, bushes, blackberry plants, and wooded areas. They both are very similar in appearance, but you look closely to tell them apart with a magnifying glass.

Clover mites will come out when it’s hot and sunny. Chiggers will bite and attach themselves to human hair follicles. They also attack animals which results in a welt. Clover mites don’t bite. If you’ve been bitten by a small red mite, it’s likely a chigger or spider mite.

Clover mites vs. springtails

Springtails come out after the rain just like clover mites. If you have a microscope, you can easily tell the difference between the two. The mites look like spiders, but the springtails look like little “bugs” with a noticeable tail that’s tucked under their abdomen.

Clover mites don’t have tails. Springtails also will hide in mold, cardboard, cotton, paper, and even your mattress. Springtails are NOT mites.

They generally live in the soil and are present all over the world. They can be detected using a magnifying glass. You should be able to see a tail appendage present.

Where do clover mites nest?

Clover mites hideout and establish a nest in grass lawns. They prefer lawns with plenty of fertilized soil, which is why you should never over-fertilize- it just attracts pets.

The mites will also nest in houses when they enter through gaps and cracks in windows and doors.

Since they’re nearly microscopic, they can sneak into the smallest of crevices. You can often find their nests in the south and southwest sides of your property.

Are clover mites seasonal?

Clover mites have an established life cycle and are most present when the days are hot.

They generally come out during the early spring months at first, then they peak and are most active during the summertime when they deposit eggs and go latent.

The spring and summer are when clover mites are most active.

What plants attract clover mites?

Clover mites on lawn.
They like lawns and fertilized foliage.

Clover mites eat vegetation that’s found on lawns.

Here are the most common plants that attract these mites to your property:

  • Grass
  • Clovers
  • Weeds
  • Ornamental plants
  • Trees
  • Shrubs
  • Bacteria
  • Mold
  • Mildew
  • Fungus

Clover mites typically don’t kill their host plants as they cause minimal damage in small numbers. But when there are a lot of them, such as during the summer months, they can cause significant plant damage.

You may notice yellowing, drooping, wilting, or stunted growth.

You may also see uneven patches on your lawn, yellow vegetation, or darkened, brown patches where the mites are concentrated.

Why do I have clover mites?

You likely have clover mites because your yard provides a favorable environment for them to establish a nest.

The female mites don’t need a male to reproduce, so they can produce large numbers quickly.

When this happens, you’ll start to see patches or uneven grass foliage on your lawn. You may also start to see them appear all over your home’s exterior, concrete, fences, and also inside your home. They’re a common garden pest found all over the US.

What do clover mites feed on?

Clover mite eating.
Clover mites prefer well-fertilized grasses and foliage.

Clover mites eat plant matter exclusively. They don’t bite, sting, or transmit diseases to humans or pets.

These mites are herbivores and extract plant nutrients from grass, cloves, weeds, sunflowers, and other plants that grow in lawns.

The problem is that they can easily migrate to other vegetation and live off those. Since they’re so small, they can be carried to homes, patios, decks, and even rooftops.

Even without a lawn present, clover mites can survive off mold, mildew, and other microscopic organic matter. So this allows them to infest areas you wouldn’t expect them to be.

Some common plants they eat are dandelions, strawberries, Salvia, Alyssum, various ornamental flowers, lawn grasses, primrose, and clovers. They prefer lawns with fertilized grass that are full and flush.

Do they damage lawns?

Yes, clover mites can damage lawns- especially if they’re already in bad condition. You may be able to notice damage as bare patches, yellowing, or uneven lawn distribution.

They don’t seem to damage turfgrass but can make the grass turn gray or stunt plant growth. This is especially apparent when the mites are ignored and there are many of them.

Do they bite?

Clover mites don’t bite or sting. They’re harmless to humans.

So if you have bites on you and suspect that it’s a clover mite bite, it’s probably some other pest.

Since mites are small and hard to tell apart, you may have been bitten by a mite, which DOES bite humans.

Don’t get them confused- the majority of mites do bite, but clover mites aren’t dangerous to humans.

Regardless, you should still treat the bite ASAP no matter what you’ve been bitten by.

Are they bad to have?

Yes, clover mites are considered a pest and nuisance to have around the home and garden. They can be found crawling across windows, concrete, sidings, and patio furniture.

And when squished, they leave behind a streak of bug splatter. Imagine cleaning your furniture and then smearing a red streak behind on your outdoor couch.

They don’t destroy fabrics as they’re not interested in them.

They only eat plant nutrients, but just their presence can be enough to gross some people out. Clover mites can be found in homes, yards, malls, businesses, and even hospitals.

The worst part about these mites is the stain they leave behind. Their body pigments leave a nasty, hard to clean streak when they’re crushed. This can leave behind some major cosmetic damage, especially on bright surfaces.

How long do clover mites stay around?

Clover mites have a very quick lifecycle and each female can produce dozens of eggs.

This lets the population quickly breed and take over lawns and homes.

You shouldn’t ignore the mites because they’ll reproduce exponentially. They also don’t just go away on their own since they overwinter (and summer hibernate), so the weather doesn’t kill them either.

Signs of clover mites

Even though mites are extremely small, you can still see obvious signs of a problem. Common signs that you have a clover mite infestation are:

  • Visible red mites on concrete, walls, windows, or other surfaces
  • Mites on your grass blades
  • Smeared pigment when cleaning surfaces

They’re not microscopic, so you can still see them with the naked eye.

Use a magnifying glass or the zoom function on your phone’s camera to get a closer look.

These mites are easy to see but can be hard to tell apart from other mites that are similar, like or berry bugs or red spider mites (which DO bite).

How to get rid of clover mites naturally

Home remedies for clover mite control.
You can naturally control and eradicate them using a variety of home remedies.

There are plenty of techniques you can try at home to get rid of clover mites.

Here are some of the most effective home remedies you can start with (and hopefully end with). The key is to use a combination of them and see what works for your pest situation.

Remove the mites manually

Even though the mites are small, you can still spot them against a bright surface like concrete or paper.

Get a shop vac and vacuum up the surfaces where you see a lot of mite activity. The suction should be able to pick up all the mites as they’re powerless against even the weakest vacuums.

They don’t have a good “grip” and will easily be sucked up into the vacuum canister.

You can repeat this process to quickly rid an area of clover mites, though this won’t get to the source of the problem. It’s only good for a quick way to clear an area of these pests outdoors (such as a picnic table or BBQ grill).

Sponge the area

You can use an old sponge to remove the mites from surfaces and leave behind a repelling scent.

Mix a few drops of dish detergent and a cup of water and then soak the sponge in the solution.

Then wipe across the concrete, walls, tables, patio chairs, etc. This will quickly remove the mites and kill them right away. The soap water left behind can also prove to be a nice repellent to keep the mites out.

Also, consider adding a few drops of essential oils to the mixture for a lasting residue that naturally repels.

Do NOT squish them by pressing hard with the sponge. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a huge mess and streaks of red everywhere because you’ll crush them.

When they’re crushed and then smeared, they leave behind a streak that’s hard to clean. The same goes for any other home remedy you DIY to get rid of the pests. These mites don’t screw around.

Build a vegetation “moat”

Wood chips repel clover mites.
You can repel clover mites by using substrates that they hate.

These mites live within plant matter and vegetation.

When you catch one crawling across your bare concrete, they’re either foraging or migrating. You can keep your concrete, tiles, stepping stones, patio furniture, deck, and other areas free of clover mites simply by digging out a vegetable moat.

This is a strip that goes around the perimeter of your yard with absolutely NO plant matter.

The moat should be at least 24” in length and you can fill it with dry, bare soil. This helps deter them and keep them out of your garden because clover mites have a difficult time moving through the soil.

You can also try using pea gravel or other loosely packed pebbles or rocks. This can help naturally deter clover mites from getting into your home or garden without the use of chemicals.

Note that if a mite finds it way into your yard and gets around the moat, they’ll be trapped inside. This can lead to more problems because now you have clover mites on the wrong side! You need to constantly monitor the pest population and assess it.

You can use sticky traps and place them around the yard on the inside of the moat to see if any are caught. If you see mites stuck on the trap, that means you have them within your yard and the moat is pointless.

Work from the inside out. Start by killing them off and making conditions unfavorable. Finish off with the plant barrier.

You can use any plant-free material in the moat to keep them out:

  • Lava rock
  • Wood chips
  • Marbles
  • Coarse sand
  • Pebbles
  • River rocks
  • Gravel
  • Use boric acid

Boric acid is a natural powder that can be used to kill clover mites. You can find it in the laundry aisle at department stores.

Boric acid helps to eliminate and deter clover mites. Sprinkle some around common areas that you see the mites in your home and outdoors. Mites are naturally repelled by the acid and won’t walk over it, so it acts like a barrier to keep the mites out.

Although it’s generally a safe powder, you should still use protective equipment and keep other people and pets away from it.

Avoid contact and never ingest. Use as directed by the product label.

Here are some places you can sprinkle it around the home:

  • Room perimeters
  • Carpets
  • Rugs
  • Couches
  • Under appliances
  • Door gaps
  • Windowsills
  • Patio doors
  • And here are some areas in the yard to apply boric acid:
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Brick walls
  • Around your yard fence
  • Directly onto concrete
  • Around your home

Build a perimeter of boric acid around key areas to keep clover mites away. You can pretend you’re building a wall of acid that they can’t cross.

You can block off sections like applying a layer around your home’s foundation and another around your outdoor gathering area. This can help keep the mites away when you’re trying to enjoy a meal with guests outside on your patio.

Add one last layer around the perimeter of your yard to prevent clover mites from coming into your garden from the neighbors.

Noite that rain and wind will blow or wash the boric acid. So you need to be on the lookout and re-apply when necessary.

Or you can minimize redoing work by using in areas shielded by the elements, but this isn’t always possible for all scenarios.

Don’t fertilize your plants

Over-fertilization of your plants will attract more clover mites to your yard.

You should avoid using any fertilizer or plant food for the time being until you clear your property of them. If you need to fertilize, only use the recommended amount or reduce it.

Any leftover fertilizer found in plant soil will just provide additional nutrients for plants, which then benefits clover mites.

Don’t water too much

Avoid watering your plants excessively as the excess unused water leads to more mites.

Stagnant water will provide soft soil and also erode weathered surfaces, which can allow clover mites to enter and build a nest.

Only water the amount necessary or reduce it temporarily while you get rid of the mites.

Seal up entryways

Various cracks in your home allow clover mites to enter.

Therefore, you need to do a complete evaluation of your property and patch up anywhere that needs work.

Places like your windows and doors are common entry points for mites. You’ll want to replace, repair, or caulk anywhere that allows these microscopic pests to enter your home.

Some of the most common areas you should check:

  • Replace damaged weatherstripping
  • Caulk cracks in your home’s foundation
  • Fix torn or worn screening on your windows and doors
  • Seal up cracks in the concrete, walls, or sidewalk
  • Dispose of broken stepping stones
  • Switch to a more durable fencing material, or paint it over with weatherproof paint
  • Fix broken, missing, or damaged roofing shingles
  • Make sure your chimney doesn’t let bugs in

The key is to make sure there’s no way for bugs to get in. You can’t ever have a 100% bug-proof home, but you can eliminate as many entry points as you can to reduce the number of mites coming into your house.

Use sticky adhesive traps

Sticky traps can prove to be useful for keeping mites out of specific areas.

Since clover mites crawl and can’t fly, they have to walk over some surface to get where they need to go, right?

You can buy sticky tape (or even just use double-sided tape) to trap them.

Apply the tape around strategic areas like windows, doors, walls, and other possible entry points to your property.

The clover mites crawl onto the tape and die. After that, clear the tape and apply another. You can even use it as “weatherstripping” around your windows and other foundational gaps in your house.

A pretty cool and cheap way of keeping them out.

Note that rain, sun, and other elemental damage will occur. You have to replace the tape often to keep its effectiveness.

Keep your pets mite free

Dog playing in pool.
Do you have bugs swimming in Fido’s bowl?

Clover mites have many ways to get into your house, including your pets. If you suspect that your pets can be a carrier of mites, you’ll want to take proper measures to remove pests from your dog or cat.

Every time you let your dog outside or take your dog on a walk, there’s a chance that it can pick up mites from the outdoors. Since clover mites mainly congregate in fields with a lot of grass, parks are a prime environment for them to infest your dog.

The same goes for taking your dog on hikes in the wild. Cats are also at risk when you let them outside, or any animal for that matter.

Once clover mites stick to your pet, they can easily be carried into your house on its fur. If you think this could be the case, consult your vet for advice to rid the mites from its skin. Clover mites won’t harm your pets, but they can still use them as a vessel to get inside your house.

And if you think your home is in good condition and you never see any mites in your yard, it could very well be your dog that’s bringing them in from the outdoors.

Can vinegar kill mites?

Yes, vinegar can be an effective way to kill red clover mites. You can mix water and pure white vinegar in a spray bottle.

Apply it directly to any clover mites you come across. Since they’re often hiding in your grass and lawn, they’ll be hard to see. You can spray an even layer across your lawn to act as a deterrent.

Any mites that you see on concrete or walls can be sprayed with vinegar to instantly kill them. Note that your grass could be sensitive to vinegar, which is highly acidic. You should test some in a small area first before applying to your entire lawn.

Does baking soda kill clover mites?

Baking soda can be used as a natural barrier to keep mites restricted to one area.

For example, if you have clover mites in your garden, you can use baking soda and sprinkle it in a boxed pattern that borders your yard. This will keep new clover mites from entering and lock in the current infestation for you to deal with and kill.

You can also sprinkle it under doors, around windowsills, or each room in your home. This can help keep the mites under control and makes it easier to manage them.

Diatomaceous earth

Similar to baking soda, you can use diatomaceous earth as a natural mite repellent.

Buy food grade, pure DE, and sprinkle it around the home and garden in strategic locations. Think of it as a barrier that clover mites can’t walk across and use it to keep them out of your yard.

You can build one barrier around the fencing of your property and another in each room. Placing it under doors can help stop mites from entering your bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, or living room.

Note that diatomaceous earth is considered a natural substance, but you should avoid contact and keep other people and pets away. Use as directed by the product packaging.

Baby powder

Baby powder is a talc-based substance that can be applied as a mite deterrent. Sprinkle it around each room you want to keep mites out of.

Don’t just toss it on the carpet and call it a day. You have to lightly dust it around the corners and perimeter of each room for it to work effectively.

Don’t let other people or pets come into contact with it. If you have clover mites in your bed, baby powder can be used to line your mattress and bedframe to stop them from crawling up your bedpost and crawling on you at night.

Corn starch

Corn starch has been speculated to be a repellent for clover mites. It’s natural and a safe home remedy that can be used outdoors.

Buy the starch in powder form at your local grocery store and dust it around your patio. It needs to be reapplied after wind and rain but should keep clover mites away because they avoid crawling over it.

Soapy water

The old soap and water trick is the oldest in the book. Just mix a few drops of dish detergent and some water to make a spray.

This will suffocate mites you spray it on right away.

After you kill the clover mite, don’t crush it or else you’ll smear the pigment. Remove it by using a vacuum or microfiber cloth barely scraping it off.

Hire a pro

If you’re out of solutions and lost, consider hiring a professional exterminator.

A lot of people avoid doing this because doing pest control yourself at home is cheaper. But sometimes, you need to consider if it’s worth your time and effort to continue.

Try a few of the DIY solutions here and if none of them work, contact a local pest control company and get an evaluation.

Many companies will do this for free and give you a quote. Read some reviews online. Make some calls.

Sometimes it’s just definitely easier and more efficient to let someone else handle it for you. I do suggest hiring someone that has an alternative, natural or organic methodologies. Avoid dangerous compounds when possible.

How to get rid of clover mites in specific areas

Here are some suggested techniques to control clover mites in various areas around your property.

Clover mites on the patio or deck

Balcony pest free.
Keep your patio clean and prevent bugs.

Clover mites on your patio can be controlled using a combination of the techniques outlined in this pest control guide.

You can do anything from using essential oils, soapy water, vinegar spray, sticky tape, diatomaceous earth, and building a vegetation moat around your patio. All of these will help make the clover mites go away and stay out of your patio.

Serious infestations will require some more effort to control. These mites can dig into the smallest cracks and hide there which allows them to evade your pest management efforts.

You may need to hire a professional exterminator if this is the case. That’s why it’s important to keep your home in good condition.

Clover mites in the house

"<yoastmark

These mites are known to infiltrate homes and apartments when their population expands.

They start in the yard and will quickly get inside your house, especially if plants are directly in contact with your home.

Depending on how far away your lawn is from your home, or if you have any natural barriers between the two, this can affect how long until the mites find their way into your house.

Once they get in, they’ll find nesting areas in the various cracks. This makes them extremely hard to get rid of and a clover mite infestation is not a joke.

To get rid of them, you can use a variety of the home remedies outlined here. Use borax around the perimeter of your rooms.

Place sticky traps in common areas where you see a lot of mites. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth in your garage, basement, or places with less foot traffic. Spray essential oils in cracks and crevices.

Seal up any cracks from the outside to prevent more mites from coming inside. Kill any mites you see by using a mixture of soapy water or pure vinegar.

Mites in the outside yard

A clover mite free yard.
Keep your yard clean to keep the mites out.

Mites in your yard outside can be managed the same way as above. Use a combination of DIY sprays, and sprinkle borax or DE around the lawn.

The most effective way is to build a moat of at least 24” in width filled with coarse material. This acts as a barrier to the mites to prevent them from crossing into your yard.

Not everyone can do this, and for those that can’t, consider using alternative measures.

You can use adhesive tape around your lawn to make an artificial trap.

Don’t overwater and don’t over-fertilize your plants either. There is no single solution that’ll get rid of the mites outside. You’ll have to try a few and see what works for you.

Clover mites in the vegetable garden

Clover mites vegetable garden.
Clover mites are commonly found in veggie gardens.

If you have clover mites in a vegetable garden, you’ll want to be careful and avoid any harsh chemicals on your edible plants.

Try using diatomaceous earth around your plants. Switch to a different substrate on the outer perimeter to your veggies.

And use plant-safe essential oils to directly spray onto the plants to see if that repels the mites. Some veggies may be sensitive to oils, so test it on a non-obvious leaf first to see how the plant reacts.

Clover mites are difficult to get rid of your plants once they establish a nest. But using a variety of home treatments may help stop the problem before it gets out of hand.

Mites on concrete

Clover mites on concrete.
Tiny mites on your concrete? They’re probably clover mites.

Clover mites on concrete can be easily sucked up using a vacuum or a wet sponge with soapy water.

You can also line the concrete’s perimeter with a substrate that repels them or use double-sided tape around the edges. Mites don’t live in the concrete and usually are foraging across in from nearby plants.

Unless the concrete has holes or cracks. This is a favorable environment for them to nest in. Fill any cracks with caulk, cement, or replace the damaged portions.

Clover mites in the car

If you have clover mites in your car, you’ll want to use a portable vacuum and suck them up.

Do NOT crush them because they will stain leather, PVC, fabric, and paint.

A vacuum is the only way to remove them efficiently without using any risky chemicals. You’ll also want to find out how they got in (did you leave your window open or do you have a damaged air filter?) and fix it so no further mites can sneak through.

Essential oils may work on plastic surfaces, but you should be careful using it on fabrics or leather. If nothing works, you can consider using a commercial approach, such as a fogger but ONLY if it’s safe for cars.

Use the product as directed. Any further pests will need the help of a licensed exterminator.

What do clover mites hate?

Clover mites hate a lot of different things, which makes it easy to keep them out of your property.

But only if it were that “easy,” right?

Even though you have an assortment of different tricks to keep them away, their sheer numbers make it difficult to control them all. Managing clover mites can prove to be a nightmare, especially when the females have deposited eggs all over your property.

You can use a variety of different techniques outlined in this article. Clover mites hate essential oils, diatomaceous earth, borax, baby powder, corn starch, pebbles, river rocks, and other gritty materials.

There’s no single solution to get rid of them. It’s always a combination of various DIY remedies working together for an effective mite management and control system.

What kills red clover mites?

Soapy water kills clover mites.
You can make your own mite killer at home.

Other than manually squishing them and removing them, you can use any of the following to kill clover mites upon contact:

  • A mixture of vinegar and water (1:1 ratio)
  • Dish detergent and water (a few drops in a cup of water)
  • A pesticide spray for mites containing permethrin

You should opt for the vinegar or soapy water solutions first before using toxic compounds. Avoid using sprays when possible.

And if you must, get pesticide that doesn’t use dangerous residues. There are natural or organic sprays out there, though they can be hard to find.

Will clover mites go away?

Clover mites are difficult to fully eradicate because they’re hard to see.

You may think you have your home and yard under control, but chances are, there are always a few wedged into a crack somewhere. It only takes a single female to produce dozens of eggs which all hatch quickly because of their rapid life cycle.

You should never expect the clover mites to just take care of themselves and go away. They don’t mind cold weather because they overwinter, so the winter months don’t kill them.

They also can handle very hot weather because they summer hibernate. You need to formulate a plan of action and start eliminating them ASAP.

What spray kills clover mites?

If you need to use a commercial pesticide to kill them because the home remedies aren’t cutting it, look for something with permethrin as an active ingredient. This works effectively against arachnids and will kill them upon contact.

You can also look for sprays that contain bifenthrin, chlorpyrifos, cyfluthrin, tetramethrin, malathion, tralomethrin, or diazinon.

Use as directed and make sure that it’s safe for use inside your home if that’s where you’re spraying.

Note that your air quality may be reduced because of these compounds. You should always look for organic or natural sprays when possible.

Further reading

Here are some additional references you may find useful:

Did you get rid of the clover mites?

Clover mites on walls.
Clover mites can be controlled, but it’s going to require effort.

These mites are difficult to fully manage without a professional, but you can still significantly reduce their population by using home remedies.

Be patient and persistent about it. Don’t give up just because one technique doesn’t work. Use a bunch of different types at the same time.

You should now have a solid foundation of what works and what doesn’t. And you should be able to manage, control, and eradicate clover mites at home!

Do you have any questions? Leave a comment for me below.

Or if you found this page somewhat helpful, please let me know also. Consider telling a friend who may also be suffering from the same mites!

Thanks for reading.

6 thoughts on “How to Get Rid of Clover Mites Naturally (Home and Garden)”

  1. Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed!
    Extremely helpful info particularly the ultimate section 🙂 I handle such info
    a lot. I was looking for this particular info for a very long
    time. Thank you and best of luck.

  2. Clover mites have left a lot of little stains on fabrics and articles of clothing in my home. Always in clothes in the bottom drawers of dressers. Any suggestions on how to remove the stains? I’ve tried stain remover products and oxy-clean products, they do not work. I’m thinking of trying a steamer, but the heat may just set the stains.

    1. Same here…I was wondering about a steamer and if it would work or do any good. Did you ever end up steaming them and if so, what was the outcome? I’m more looking to kill them AND clean up at the same time so maybe a steamer would work. Not sure. Any advice would be appreciated! They’re all over my home even after the exterminator came and sprayed everywhere. Help!

  3. THIS!!! This is the type of info I’ve been looking for. Nice job explaining everything. My issue now is that the clover mites are inside of my couches, my area rugs, inside my throw pillows…how can I get rid of them from all of those places? Should I rent a steamer? Will steaming do any good or should I rent a commercial grade vacuum cleaner? Or both? These things have taken over my home and they are no joke. I’m a very clean person with a spotless house and they still are thriving in here.

  4. Joan Plowman

    What can I use on my lawn which will kill clover mites and will be safe for my dog. My email address is ***. really would appreciate your help.

  5. Jordan Moore

    Anthony,

    I have a picture of a clover mite that is roughly 4 mm long. I keep seeing posts that they are less than 1mm, and you even said 0.75mm size. Please email me so I can confirm this picture with you, and maybe you can help me identify it if it somehow is not a clover mite or a chigger.

    Thanks,
    Jordan Moore

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *