Adult clover mites are 1/64 inch long with a green to brownish body and pink to reddish legs. Immature stages are red in color. The first pair of adult legs is twice as long as the second pair and held forward like antennae. Mites have 4 pairs of legs, except in the first instar (larva) where there are 3 pairs. Other mites may resemble clover mites. Mites are difficult to correctly identify without a good hand lens or microscope and identification key. However, when clover mites invade structures, they do so in large numbers and under different circumstances than bird, rodent, or other mites. When crushed, clover mites leave a red stain.

Females reproduce asexually (without males) and lay about 70 round red eggs in vegetation and some- times on foundation exteriors. These mites feed on a wide variety of plants. They thrive best on white clover and heavily fertilized Kentucky bluegrass and other lawn grasses. They are active and reproduce during cooler months, becoming dormant during summer.

Clover mites may build up in landscapes with conditions that favor development and become a significant nuisance in April and May. They enter structures in huge numbers through gaps around doors and windows or cracks in foundation. They may be evident on walls, drapes, carpets, or furniture where, if crushed, they will stain fabric and painted surfaces. In high numbers in the landscape, clover mites can damage or kill lawns and sometimes landscape plants close to the structure. Clover mites do not bite or injure humans or pets.