Many pests ebb and flow with the seasons, and clover mites in Kansas City are one of the most notorious for cropping up seemingly out of nowhere in the late winter and early spring months. If you’re seeing these tiny red cmites on your exterior walls or entering your home, here’s what’s attracting them and why you need to call in the professionals to safely address the issue.
What are Clover Mites?
While they tend to be the biggest issue in northern states where temperatures trend cooler, clover mites in Kansas City are extremely common. Clover mites are the tiny vibrant red insects you most likely have seen congregating on southwest-facing exterior walls where the sun provides ample warmth.
While they may be harmless, but that doesn’t mean they should be ignored. They can wreak havoc on your lawn and gardens, especially if you have very lush and well-fertilized grass. Because they’re so tiny and don’t bite or sting, you might think squishing one or two that make it into your home is the easiest way to deal with the problem, but this approach is not recommended. Clover mites’ bright red color doesn’t disappear when squished. In fact, it leaves behind a stain that is difficult to remove.
Why Clover Mites Seem to Appear out of Nowhere
It can appear as though clover mites emerge suddenly, often gathering in large numbers on exterior surfaces. So why is it that clover mites seem to appear so suddenly?
Seeking Warmth
While they are a cool-temperature pest that tends to be more dormant once the summer heat hits, clover mites thrive in the ambient spring temperatures. They are most active within a narrow temperature range. As the sun warms the exterior walls of buildings, clover mites are drawn to those slightly warmer temperatures in the mid to high 60s.
Spring Gardening Practices
Another thing that is an instant draw for clover mites is heavily fertilized lawns. When homeowners begin working to revive their grass after the long, cold winter, using too much fertilizer is an instant invitation for clover mites to make an appearance.
Mate-Free Reproduction
Clover mites reproduce extremely quickly. This all-female pest breeds without mating, and every single adult mite lays around 70 eggs at once. If these eggs get laid in the cracks and crevices of your foundation, you may find a sudden uptick in clover mite activity as the eggs hatch in the spring.
How to Keep the Clover Mites at Bay
The go-to pest prevention tactics will help with any pest problems, including clover mites. Maintaining a tidy, clutter-free home and a well-maintained yard goes a long way toward reducing pest activity in and around your home. Clover mites present a unique challenge because of their attraction to lush, well-maintained lawns. They’re also tricky to keep from wandering indoors because they’re tiny enough to slip through the smallest of cracks or gaps.
Here are a few clover mite-specific tactics for reducing the likelihood of the little red mites congregating on your walls:
- Don’t overfertilize your lawn. Fertilizer isn’t inherently bad, but be mindful of how much you use it to help your lawn grow.
- Create a mulch or gravel barrier around the foundation. This one to two-foot gap between your home and any plants or grass makes it less likely that clover mites will get close enough to gravitate to your walls.
- Plant clover mite-repelling flowers and shrubs. The right gardening tactics can repel common lawn and landscape pests. Clover mites will avoid marigolds, zinnias, and evergreen shrubs like juniper and spruce.
How to Treat Your Property for Clover Mites
If you’re struggling to get rid of clover mites in or around your home, here’s what NOT to try:
- Don’t squish clover mites to avoid stubborn red stains on walls and surfaces.
- Avoid over-the-counter sprays, which are ineffective for permanently eliminating pest problems.
If a couple of clover mites make it indoors, use a vacuum to quickly suck them up and get them out of the house. Anything beyond a small number of mites will require professional help to avoid recurring infestations.
Professional Clover Mite Control in Kansas City
Advantage Termite and Pest Control can help prevent clover mites through both prevention and treatment. With our lawn care services in Kansas City, we can help you maintain your lawn without the use of excess fertilizer, creating a beautiful yard that won’t attract clover mites. When combined with our integrated pest management services, we will ensure that any clover mites that appear are effectively addressed, from adult mites on your walls to the eggs that may be hiding in your foundation.
You may not have clover mites yet, but professional treatment is the best way to keep infestations from ever occurring! Advantage Termite and Pest Control guarantees a home and yard free of clover mites. Contact our team at the first sign of clover mite activity for professional service.
