Swarms of little bugs on my window sills - Ask Extension
These little bugs appeared since the weather gets warmer, need help to identify them and find a way to get rid of them. Is a pest control company nec...
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Swarms of little bugs on my window sills #826354
Asked April 19, 2023, 2:17 PM EDT
These little bugs appeared since the weather gets warmer, need help to identify them and find a way to get rid of them. Is a pest control company necessary? Or something I can do by myself.
Lancaster County Nebraska
Expert Response
Vincent,
These minute "bugs" are clover mites. Despite their common name, they are a grass feeding mite. Clover mites explode in population in the spring of the year and will often climb up the sides of buildings above grasses and weeds growing against the foundation of the building. They do not bite, however, they are small enough to fit through window screen and under and around loose fitting windows and frames. To clean them up once they are on the inside of a structure, one needs to use hot, soapy water and a cloth rag. The rag should be fair wet to help float the mites off of the wall. Do not use dry paper towels or dry cloth rags, you will end up smashing the mites all over the walls resulting in staining streaks on the paint or wallpaper. There is no need to use an insecticide/acaricide inside of the house. Outside, one could use an insecticide/acaricide to knock down the populations. You can use a garden hose with a spray attachment to initially knock the mites off of the wall before treating.
Here is a link to a factsheet that covers clover mites: https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g7358
The data that came with your question indicates that you live in Lancaster County, Nebraska. To get the mite identification verified, take a sample of the mites to your local Lancaster County Extension Office:
Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County
444 Cherrycreek Road, Suite A, Lincoln, Nebraska 68528
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CT, Except Holidays.
Phone: <personal data hidden>
These minute "bugs" are clover mites. Despite their common name, they are a grass feeding mite. Clover mites explode in population in the spring of the year and will often climb up the sides of buildings above grasses and weeds growing against the foundation of the building. They do not bite, however, they are small enough to fit through window screen and under and around loose fitting windows and frames. To clean them up once they are on the inside of a structure, one needs to use hot, soapy water and a cloth rag. The rag should be fair wet to help float the mites off of the wall. Do not use dry paper towels or dry cloth rags, you will end up smashing the mites all over the walls resulting in staining streaks on the paint or wallpaper. There is no need to use an insecticide/acaricide inside of the house. Outside, one could use an insecticide/acaricide to knock down the populations. You can use a garden hose with a spray attachment to initially knock the mites off of the wall before treating.
Here is a link to a factsheet that covers clover mites: https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g7358
The data that came with your question indicates that you live in Lancaster County, Nebraska. To get the mite identification verified, take a sample of the mites to your local Lancaster County Extension Office:
Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County
444 Cherrycreek Road, Suite A, Lincoln, Nebraska 68528
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CT, Except Holidays.
Phone: <personal data hidden>
