Mites are tiny arachnids (related to spiders). They are smaller than the head of a pin and have 8 pairs of legs. Common pest mites are spider mites, clover mites, and fowl mites.

Spider Mites

Spider mites are tiny but look like little spiders under a microscope. They damage plants indoors and out. They are reddish and do no harm to people.

Clover Mites

Clover mites look like tiny red dots that move. They do no harm to people or plants, but can occur in large numbers inside a house and, when squashed, leave red marks that can disfigure walls and fabric. The red is from the red pigment in the mite. It is not blood. Clover mites come in when there is a lot of shrubbery or grass right up against a structure.

Fowl Mites

Fowl mites can be deadly to wild birds and can infest caged birds. If fowl mites cannot find birds, they can attack people and cause itchy bites. Fowl mites are rare indoors in situations where there are no birds present.

Summary | Spider Mites | Clover Mites | Fowl Mites | Top of Page | Pest Guide