CLOVER MITES
Description: Clover mite adults are about 1/64-inch
long and brown to olive-green in color. Their body
shape is similar to that of ticks. The adults and
nymphs have eight legs. They are easily distinguished
from other mites by their very long front legs,
which are longer than the body and twice as long
as any of the other legs. The younger stages are
bright red, as are the eggs, which are smooth and
round.
Biology: Females are parthenogenetic, laying eggs
without fertilization by a male. Approximately 70
eggs are deposited in the fall in protected locations
on building foundations and under the bark of trees.
The eggs do not hatch unless the temperature is
between 40º and 70ºF. In the spring, they
hatch into the six-legged larval stage which then
molts into the protonymph followed by the deutonymph,
which, in turn molts into the adult stage. Developmental
time (egg to egg) takes from one to seven months
depending on environmental conditions.
Habits: Clover mites are plant feeders that have
been found infesting more than 200 different plants.
They can overwinter as adults, immature, or eggs.
They build up very large populations around structures
surrounded with lush, well-fertilized lawns and
shrubbery. They often move into buildings in tremendous
numbers in the autumn when vegetation begins to
die.
In the spring, large numbers indoors usually is
the result of recent mulching and onset of higher
temperatures. Large populations of clover mites
occur on the flat roofs of commercial buildings
and are associated with moss growth. Clover mites
are harmless but are a great annoyance to building
occupants. If crushed, they leave a red stain on
walls, floors, or furnishings.
Control: Infestations in structures can be controlled
using mechanical control measures. Large populations
of mites should be removed using a vacuum cleaner.
Residual or aerosol pesticide applications indoors
does little to solve the problem and are not recommended.
Clover mite invasions can be prevented by eliminating
lush vegetation in a 18 to 24 inch band around the
perimeter of the building. A micro-encapsulated
or wettable powder formulation should be applied
approximately two feet up the foundation, or to
where the siding begins, and to the soil surface
in a three to ten foot band around the structure.
All exterior cracks and other potential points of
entry should be treated. Shrubbery and tree trunks
within this area should also be treated. To be successful,
product applications should be made in Spring and
again in late Summer.
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