When the temperature falls below 85 degrees F in late summer and early fall, the eggs begin to hatch, starting the numerous broods that occur each season. Mites hatching from the eggs soon begin to wander about, feeding and laying eggs. It is at this time that the mites invade homes and this continues until reduced by cold weather. On warm sunny days during the winter, feeding and hatching may resume, especially on the southeast, south and southwest exposures of dwellings and trees. During high summertime temperatures, the mites die and the eggs they have laid remain dormant until cooler, late summer and fall temperatures arrive.
Clover mites feed by sucking juice from plants.
They attack and breed on a number of grasses, plus many cultivated plants and weeds growing around homes. They are most numerous in newly established lawns and in old lawns where there is a heavy growth of succulent, well-fertilized grass. The mites move to homes and other buildings from surrounding lawns and vegetation. They enter homes wherever they find tiny openings, usually under and around doors and windows and in cracks of foundations. Mites appear to be more numerous about the warmer, sunny south side of homes.