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Spotting tiny red bugs crawling on your windowsill? Those small red spiders are usually clover mites, not true spiders.
In my experience working in DC metro homes, these mites spike in spring and fall. They never bite but leave red stains when crushed.
Even though they’re called small red spiders, they’re not true spiders. To learn about real spiders, visit our Spiders resource.
According to the University of Florida Entomology & Nematology, clover mites (Bryobia praetiosa) are plant-feeding arachnids in the Tetranychidae family. All adults reproduce without mating, making large populations fast.
Virginia Tech VCE notes adults measure 0.75–0.85 mm long and their first legs can double in length. Bright red larvae turn brick-red or greenish-brown when fed.
Their crushed bodies leave rusty-red stains on light surfaces, per University of Maryland Extension.
Learn more on our What Are The Tiny Red Bugs? How to Spot & Treat Clover Mites page.
Clover mites have two outdoor generations each year—spring and fall. They aestivate in summer and overwinter as eggs.
Spring eggs hatch when soil temps rise above 45 °F; fall eggs hatch as temps drop below 85 °F in September.
These mites feed on cool-season turfgrasses, especially Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue, plus clover and ornamentals. Outbreaks often follow heavy lawn fertilization, notes University of Missouri Extension.
In early spring and fall, masses of mites climb sunny south and east walls seeking shelter. Additionally, window screens don’t block them; they slip through holes smaller than 0.2 mm.
Indoors, they wander slowly, don’t reproduce, and dry out in days. Vacuuming and low moisture make infestations fade on their own.
On lawns, heavy feeding causes silvering or bronzing of grass blades. In homes, they’re just a nuisance with no risk of biting or disease.
Crushed mites can stain light surfaces, but they don’t harm fabrics or structures.
Check sunny foundation turf in March–May and Sept–Nov for silvery grass and cast skins. Vacuum or press tape on mites indoors to confirm.
Use clear tape or a white paper–covered vacuum canister. Red specks on tape or paper prove clover mites.
Vacuum visible mites and toss the bag to prevent spread. Seal cracks around windows and doors with caulk or weatherstripping.
Keep an 18–24 inch vegetation-free zone of mulch or stone against your foundation. Adjust lawn watering and fertilization.
Our licensed technicians start with an expert phone consultation—no phone trees, direct to an expert who maps your treatment plan.
We inspect your home with our 78-point review, then apply non-repellent products like Essentria and Alpine around your foundation.
Most small red spider infestations clear with one to two visits using perimeter sprays. Find local service in Arlington or Bethesda.
Slope soil away from your foundation. Use hardscape or mulch within 2 feet of walls. Fertilize lawns in mid-autumn instead of early spring.
Clover mites don’t spin webs. Two-spotted spider mites feed on plant leaves under fine silk webs, per University of Minnesota Extension.
Clover mites invade homes, while spider mites stay on plants. For more on arachnid differences, see Are Arachnids Insects? or Is a Spider a Bug?.
In DC metro homes, I’ve seen windowsills covered with clover mites each spring. One customer wiped red stains off their patio and called us immediately.
After a single exterior treatment, the infestation dropped by 90% within 48 hours. A second visit cleared the rest and the stains washed away.
We’ve served DC area homes since 1968, now in our third generation of family management. Our team has over 300 years of combined experience.
Our research team removed nine harsh chemicals from our arsenal. We choose only products we’d use in our own homes and send detailed “Know We Did” reports after every visit.
Questions or need an estimate? Call us at 703-683-2000 or email [email protected] today.
They’re clover mites—plant-feeding arachnids that wander indoors in spring and fall. They don’t bite or reproduce inside.
Clover mites migrate upward on warm, sun-exposed walls. They seek cool crevices to lay eggs or shelter.
No. Clover mites have no biting mouthparts and carry no diseases. They only stain surfaces if crushed.
Indoors, mites live only a few days and don’t reproduce. Outdoor spikes last a few weeks, then drop off naturally.
Yes. Vacuuming, sealing cracks, and keeping vegetation away from foundations often stops them without chemicals.
Use rubbing alcohol or a mild detergent on the stain as soon as possible. A soft cloth usually lifts the pigment.
Maintain an 18–24 inch plant-free zone, seal cracks, and consider seasonal perimeter treatments to block migrating mites.
No. Clover mites invade homes and don’t spin webs. Two-spotted spider mites feed on leaf undersides and make fine silk sheets.
With five years of hands-on experience in the pest control industry, George Schulz is a registered technician with the Virginia Pest Management Association and a proud third-generation professional in a family business that’s been protecting homes for over 57 years. He manages and trains a team of service pros while also leading internal research efforts—recently spearheading a deep-dive review of thousands of documents on pest control materials to hand-pick the most kid and pet friendly, most effective solutions tailored specifically for homes in the DC metro area. Read his bio.
