Clover mites are tiny red bugs that can infest homes and be a nuisance. Many people want to know how to get rid of clover mites without using harsh chemicals. The good news is that there are several natural methods that can help control clover mite populations.
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What are clover mites?
Clover mites are members of the arachnid family and are distant relatives of spiders and ticks. They get their name from commonly being found in clover plants. Clover mites are very small, measuring only about 1/30 of an inch. They have eight legs and an oval-shaped body that is usually reddish-brown in color.
Clover mites do not bite humans or pets and are not known to transmit diseases. But they can be a nuisance when they make their way indoors and start appearing on walls, furniture, curtains and other surfaces. Clover mites feed on plant juices, algae, mold and pollen. When food sources start to dry up outdoors, they seek out moisture and can end up sneaking into homes through cracks, seams and tiny openings.
Why use natural methods for clover mite control?
Many conventional pesticides and chemicals are effective at killing clover mites. However, these types of products also have downsides:
- They may be toxic to humans, pets and beneficial insects if used improperly or excessively.
- Pesticides can linger as residue on surfaces and pose health risks, especially for children.
- Chemicals may kill clover mites but not address the underlying reasons for an infestation, such as moisture sources.
- Pesticides can be expensive and require repeat applications.
- Overuse of chemicals can lead to resistance, making products ineffective over time.
For these reasons, many homeowners prefer to control clover mites with natural solutions whenever possible. The goal is to make the environment less hospitable for clover mites, reduce their food sources and prevent them from entering the home. Natural control options are often safer, more environmentally friendly, and address the root causes of infestations.
Natural predators that eat clover mites
Encouraging natural predators is an effective biological control for many types of pests, including clover mites. Here are some of the main predators that help regulate clover mite populations:
Spiders
Many different species of spiders will prey on clover mites. Common spider varieties like wolf spiders, jumping spiders, crab spiders and web-building spiders will capture and eat clover mites that get stuck in their webs or come near their hiding spots.
Ladybugs
Both the adult and larval (young) stages of ladybugs are voracious predators. They will gather and feast on any clover mites they discover as they crawl over plants and other surfaces.
Lacewings
Lacewing larvae stalk, attack and consume soft-bodied insects like clover mites. The lacewing larvae even carry the mite carcasses on their backs as camouflage while they search for more prey.
Dust mites
microscopic dust mites feed on debris, fungi and decaying matter. But they will also eat clover mites when they come across them in dust and organic debris.
Predatory mites
Mites from the Galendromus, Neoseiulus and Amblyseius genera prey specifically on plant-eating mites like clover mites. Releasing some of these predatory mites can provide biological mite control in gardens and landscapes.
Ground beetles
Ground beetles like carabids live in soil and leaf litter and will consume any small insects in their path, including clover mites that fall to the ground.
Rove beetles
Rove beetles are ground-dwelling generalist predators that eat eggs and larvae of many arthropods. Their fast speed allows them to catch and eat clover mites.
Ants
Many ant species are opportunistic predators of any insects they come across, including tiny clover mites. The ants will carry mite prey back to their colonies to feed to their larvae.
By providing habitat that attracts and supports these natural enemies, homeowners can successfully control clover mite populations with minimal intervention required.
Other natural control methods
In addition to biological control, there are some other eco-friendly methods that can help get rid of clover mites:
Remove food sources
Because clover mites feed on plants, eliminating weeds around the foundation of your home deprives them of food sources. This encourages them to look elsewhere. Any plants touching or overhanging the home’s exterior should also be trimmed back.
Fix cracks and crevices
Sealing any holes, crevices or gaps around windows, doors, siding and utilities that enter the home prevents clover mites and other pests from sneaking inside. Copper mesh or steel wool can help plug holes.
Alter moisture levels
Clover mites thrive in damp conditions. Letting soil dry out around foundations, improving drainage and fixing leaks helps make the environment less hospitable.
Remove debris and leaf litter
Raking up fallen leaves, grass clippings, mulch and other organic matter eliminates protective hiding spots for clover mites close to the home.
Use desiccant dusts
Natural diatomaceous earth and crystalline silica dusts are abrasive to the exoskeleton of soft-bodied insects. Sprinkling them in clover mite hiding spots can rupture their bodies and kill them within 48 hours.
Set out sticky traps
Traps made with non-toxic adhesives can catch crawling clover mites around the foundations and prevent them from getting inside.
Vacuum indoor mites
For clover mites that do end up indoors, a simple handheld vacuum makes quick work of sucking them up. Just be sure to empty the vacuum contents into a sealed bag and dispose of it promptly.
Use desiccating houseplant powders
Sprinkling diatomaceous earth or products with sharp silica crystals on houseplant soil dries out and kills clover mites that try to feed on the plants.
Home remedies to kill clover mites
Households items and common kitchen ingredients can also be employed to get rid of clover mites without resorting to commercial chemicals:
Rubbing alcohol
Spraying or wiping 91% isopropyl rubbing alcohol directly on clover mites will kill them quickly through evaporation and dehydration.
Essential oils
The volatile compounds in clove, peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus and cinnamon oils are toxic to mites. Mix 20-30 drops into a spray bottle of water to repel and kill them.
Boric acid
This mild acid found in some household antifungal products is abrasive on mite bodies. Dust it into cracks and crevices where mites hide.
Sodium chloride (table salt)
Pure salt will burn and dehydrate clover mites. Make a spray solution of 1 teaspoon salt per quart of warm water to use on infested surfaces.
Liquid dish soap
Mix a few squirts of fragrance-free soap into a bottle of water, shake well and spray directly on mites to penetrate their exoskeleton and kill them.
Using products already on hand allows you to control clover mites without spending extra money. However, be careful to keep homemade sprays away from eyes, lungs and skin.
When to call a pest management professional
In most cases, the natural control methods described above will take care of a clover mite situation. However, it’s a good idea to enlist the help of a pest control company if:
- The clover mite infestation is very large.
- You are unable to locate or access all mite hiding places.
- You rent an apartment and cannot make structural modifications.
- Natural remedies have not reduced the population after several weeks.
- Clover mites continue appearing in large numbers indoors.
Companies have access to stronger chemicals and insect growth regulators as a last resort for eliminating heavily entrenched clover mite populations. They also have the proper equipment to treat cracks, voids and confined spaces in walls or around utilities where mites may hide.
Prevention tips
Preventing clover mite problems from occurring in the first place is the best approach. Here are some prevention measures to implement:
- Remove leaves, grass and debris from right against the home’s foundation.
- Prune back vegetation touching the exterior walls.
- Keep lawn areas near the home’s perimeter short.
- Fix leaky faucets, pipes and HVAC drip pans.
- Improve drainage around the foundation.
- Seal cracks, crevices and openings with caulk or foam.
- Install door sweeps and weatherstripping to close gaps.
- Keep indoor humidity below 50%.
Taking these steps minimizes access points, food sources and moisture that attracts clover mites. When fewer mites are able to reach your home in the first place, you’ll have fewer problems with them invading indoor living spaces.
Conclusion
Clover mites can be safely controlled without relying on toxic chemicals if you employ natural predators, eliminate favorable conditions and use non-toxic remedies. With some diligence to reduce their food sources and habitat around the home’s exterior, clover mites can be managed successfully using eco-friendly methods.