Do clover mites make you itch?

Clover mites are tiny red bugs that can occasionally invade homes and cause itchy skin reactions in some people. Though harmless, their presence can be a nuisance. Understanding what clover mites are, what causes the itching, and how to get rid of them is important for anyone who encounters these common household pests.

What are clover mites?

Clover mites are members of the arachnid family and are distant relatives of spiders and ticks. However, clover mites do not bite or spread diseases. These tiny bugs get their name from their small size, reddish-brown color, and habit of feeding on clover plants.

Some key facts about clover mites:

• Size: Adults are about 1/30th of an inch (1mm) long. They are barely visible to the naked eye.
• Color: Their bodies are a vivid reddish-brown color, with faint white markings on the abdomen.
• Shape: Oval-shaped bodies with eight legs.
• Behavior: Clover mites feed on plants, especially clover, grass, and other vegetation. They do not bite people or animals.
• Reproduction: Females lay clusters of eggs on plants, usually in the spring. Clover mite populations peak in the spring and fall.
• Habitat: Outdoor clover mite populations live in grass, gardens, yards, and agricultural areas. They come indoors by accident while seeking shelter.

Clover mites are common outdoor pests in most regions of North America. They can occasionally become indoor invaders when they wander inside homes by mistake. This usually happens in the spring and fall when clover mite populations are at their highest outdoors.

Do clover mites bite?

Clover mites do not bite humans or pets. They do not spread diseases or cause physical harm. However, some people are sensitive to the hallucinogenic chemicals in clover mite saliva. For these individuals, clover mites can trigger red, itchy bumps on the skin.

The mouthparts of clover mites are designed for piercing and sucking fluids from plants – not animals. When clover mites wander onto human skin, they may probe the surface looking for moisture but they cannot break through the skin to bite.

However, cloves mites secrete an irritating saliva as they forage. If a person has an allergy or sensitivity to the chemicals in this saliva, itchy bumps or a rash may develop where the clover mites crawl. This can occur even without being bitten. The saliva may also cause minor skin staining or discoloration.

For most people though, crawling clover mites do not lead to any skin reaction. The itching and rashes are only experienced by those with an allergy or sensitivity.

What causes the clover mite itching and rash?

The irritating skin reactions to clover mites are caused by an allergic response or sensitivity to the chemicals in their saliva. This includes histamines and other compounds that can trigger itching, redness, and hives when they come into contact with human skin.

When a clover mite crawls across the skin, it releases a trail of saliva. For sensitized individuals, this saliva provokes an immediate itchy wheal similar to a mosquito bite. The itching is the body’s allergic reaction as it tries to expel the irritating mite saliva.

Within minutes to hours of exposure, small red bumps may form at the site. These can blend together into patches or a widespread rash in severe cases. The rash tends to occur where the mites have crawled, such as the neck, arms, or trunk.

Scratching the itchy bumps can lead to further irritation, infection, and skin damage. Rashes and itching typically fade within a few days after the mites are removed and exposure is stopped.

Not everyone reacts to clover mite saliva. Those who do tend to be sensitive to other bug allergens as well, like mosquitos or spider bites. Children are more prone to developing rashes since their immune systems are still developing.

Will clover mites infest my house?

Clover mites found indoors are accidental invaders that do not reproduce inside homes. They wander inside while seeking shelter and cannot establish breeding populations inside. Any clover mites inside will die out within a few days once separated from their outdoor habitats.

Clover mites do not infest homes or build up permanent indoor colonies like bed bugs or cockroaches can. However, clover mites may continue to find their way indoors if outdoor populations are high near the foundation. This is most common in the spring and fall when mite numbers peak.

Sealing cracks around windows and doors can help block their entry points into the home. Removing vegetation and leaf litter near the foundation also limits shelter sites for clover mites around the exterior. Vacuuming and cleaning surfaces helps eliminate any migrating bugs that have already made it inside.

How to get rid of clover mites

If clover mites have found their way indoors, you can get rid of them through thorough cleaning and pest control measures:

Vacuuming

Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any live clover mites seen crawling on floors or furniture. This helps eliminate them from living areas and prevents further spread. Make sure to dispose of the vacuum bag afterward, as it may contain live mites.

Cleaning surfaces

Wipe down surfaces where mites have been found with soap and water. Pay close attention to windowsills, curtains, ceiling corners, and skirting boards where mites often congregate. This removes traces of mites and their saliva that can cause skin reactions.

Blocking entry points

Seal any cracks around windows, doors, pipes, and wiring with caulk or weatherstripping. This helps prevent more clover mites from sneaking indoors while migrating between outdoor habitats. Keep doors and windows shut as much as possible.

Outdoor pest control

Applying pesticides or insecticidal soap around the foundation can create a chemical barrier to keep clover mites from getting inside. Keep vegetation, leaves, grass, and debris at least 1 foot away from the exterior walls.

Diatomaceous earth

Sprinkle diatomaceous earth along baseboards, windowsills, and potential entry points. The fine powder damages the outer covering of clover mites to dry them out. Avoid inhaling the dust.

Professional treatment

For severe infestations, contact a pest control company. Professionals have access to stronger insecticides and fumigants to eliminate heavy clover mite populations if they have already invaded living spaces.

Do clover mites live in beds?

Clover mites do not infest beds or furniture like bed bugs do. They live outdoors and will not establish breeding populations inside homes. However, clover mites may crawl onto beds or upholstered furniture while wandering through a house.

It is rare to find large numbers of clover mites living in bedroom areas. The occasional bug may end up on a bed accidentally while moving through a home seeking an exit. They do not feed on humans or pets while indoors.

As a precaution, check around and under beds for signs of clover mites if they have been discovered elsewhere in the home. Use a flashlight to look in seams, crevices, and edges that could shelter transient migrating bugs. If found, vacuum the bed thoroughly to eliminate them.

Encasing mattresses and box springs in protective covers can also help block any stray clover mites from crawling onto beds. So can moving beds away from walls and keeping bedding tight and enclosed. Launder bedding regularly to remove traces of mite saliva that can cause skin irritation.

Can clover mites live on humans?

Clover mites do not live on human bodies the way lice or scabies do. But mites may crawl onto people while moving through an infested area. Their small size enables them to crawl under clothes and end up on skin without being noticed right away.

Found on skin, clover mites appear as tiny red specks moving slowly across the body. They tend to crawl to protected areas like the scalp, neck, armpits, and trunk. Although not parasitic, mites can leave traces of saliva that provoke rashes in sensitive individuals.

Showering and changing clothes after exposure helps wash off and prevent clover mites from clinging to human bodies. Carefully examine skin for signs of crawling mites, especially children who spend time playing outdoors. Itching bumps may indicate a migrating mite.

To remove clover mites from skin, use adhesive tape to capture and pull them off gently. Avoid crushing them, as this releases more irritating saliva. Applying soothing creams can relieve itching, but avoid scratching to prevent skin damage.

Natural ways to repel clover mites

There are several eco-friendly options for repelling clover mites without using harsh pesticides:

Essential oils

Oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint have insect-repelling properties. Mix 5-10 drops of oil with water in a spray bottle and spray exterior walls, windows, and doors. Refresh weekly.

Diatomaceous earth

This powder made from crushed fossils damages the waxy coating on mites to dehydrate them. Spread along foundations and indoor entry points, avoiding skin contact.

Seal cracks and crevices

Caulk and seal gaps where bugs can sneak inside. This limits access and forces them to find shelter elsewhere.

Remove vegetation

Prune back plants and bushes touching the home’s exterior. Keep at least 1 foot of space between foliage and walls to eliminate hiding spots.

Chalk barrier

Draw a line along your home’s foundation with regular sidewalk chalk. Clover mites avoid crossing over chalk. Reapply after rain.

Insecticidal soap

Spray this non-toxic option made with potassium salts of fatty acids around windows and doors to kill mites on contact.

When to call an exterminator for clover mites

Bringing in professional pest control may be warranted if infestations are severe. Signs that it’s time to call an exterminator include:

• Mites are found indoors over multiple days or weeks
• Large numbers visible inside, not just a few strays
• Recurring infestations each season
• Visible hordes living in outdoor areas like lawns and gardens
• Extensive rashes or skin reactions affecting multiple people
• Failed attempts at DIY removal methods

Professional exterminators have access to stronger pesticides and comprehensive treatment methods not available to the general public. Fumigation and residual sprays may be recommended for large-scale infestations.

Be sure to also have them treat outdoor nesting sites with insecticides to control populations at the source. Ongoing preventative exterior treatments can help keep clover mites from returning each season.

Clover mite look-alikes

There are a few other small red bugs that resemble clover mites but have different habits and effects on humans:

Red velvet mites

• Larger (1/5 inch) and hairy compared to clover mites
• Outdoor species that prey on insects and do not come indoors
• Bright red coloring; males have white tips on their legs
• Do not feed on plants or bite humans; non-parasitic

Spider mites

• Microscopic pests that attack plants and produce webbing
• Cause leaf damage but do not affect humans or animals
• Require a magnifying glass to see; identified by plant damage

Chiggers

• Tiny red-colored mites that bite humans and animals
• Cause intensely itchy bumps when they feed on skin
• Live in grassy outdoor areas
• Much smaller than clover mites and invisible to the naked eye

Comparing size, habitat, and behavior will help distinguish clover mites from lookalikes. Red velvet mites are larger and non-parasitic, while spider mites damage plants. Chiggers are microscopic, bite people, and cause severe itching.

FAQs about clover mites and itching

Why do clover mites make me itch?

Itching is caused by an allergic reaction to the irritating compounds in clover mite saliva. When their saliva comes into contact with sensitive human skin, itching, red bumps, and rashes can develop.

How long does clover mite itching last?

For most people, the itching and skin irritation from clover mites fade within a few days after removing exposure. Avoid scratching, which can prolong symptoms and increase skin damage.

Do clover mites come back every year?

Outdoor clover mite populations return each spring and fall when conditions are ideal for breeding and feeding on vegetation. Controlling them outdoors helps reduce recurrent infestations.

Can clover mites infest my plants?

Clover mites feed on outdoor plants and can damage them through their piercings and sap ingestion. However, they do not spread plant diseases. Their damage is mostly cosmetic.

How do I get rid of clover mites on my skin?

Take a warm shower using soap and water to wash mites off the body. Change clothes after exposure. You can also use adhesive tape to gently lift mites off the skin. Avoid crushing them.

Conclusion

Clover mites are occasional indoor invaders that can provoke itching and skin irritation through their saliva. Though a nuisance, they do not reproduce inside homes or cause extensive damage. Thorough cleaning and sealing entry points can eliminate stray bugs that make it indoors. Controlling high outdoor populations is key for preventing recurrent spring and fall infestations. While clover mites don’t bite or spread disease, people sensitive to their saliva may develop an itchy rash where the mites crawl on the skin. Carefully removing the mites and avoiding scratching helps provide relief until the reaction subsides within a few days. With proactive prevention measures, clover mites can be managed both indoors and outdoors.