9 Effective Ways to Get rid of Clover Mites Naturally [Step by Step]
Clover mites are neither dangerous to animals nor to humans, in fact, they are not dangerous to plants either, but then what is the problem you ask?
Well, these little bugs are a nuisance, they spread fast and get everywhere, and worst of all, if they are squashed, they leave a permanent red stain in that spot!
You can easily destroy a cloth or carpet if you mistakenly swat one of these bugs. They can leave a stain on the wall too. So, whether or not they are harmful, it’s safe to say that one must get rid of them before they take over your house.
9 Effective Ways to Get Rid of Clover Mites Naturally
1. Vacuum Them
Vacuuming is the easiest and the best method to get rid of clover mites from indoors. Since Clover mites can leave a stain if squashed, it’s the safest option to sweep them up using a vacuum instead of trying to kill them.
This method is best for those who are dealing with a few mites inside the house.
Required Material:
- Handheld vacuum
Step by Step Process:
- Whenever you see a clover mite, simply vacuum it up using a handheld vacuum. Make sure not to squash the mite in the process.
- Discard the mites off into a plastic bag. They would die off in a few days due to the lack of food.
Precautions:
The only precaution you should take is to avoid squashing the mites, as it can leave a permanent red stain.
2. Boric Acid
Boric Acid or Borax is an effective remedy for clover mites. Boric acid is completely safe for humans, making it a great natural remedy for these bugs.
Boric acid is quite easy to find as well, it is commonly found in the laundry section of any supermarket. In fact, if you can’t find boric acid, you can use a detergent powder that uses borax.
Required Material:
- Boric Acid or Borax Powder
Step by Step Process:
- Simply sprinkle some boric acid powder on your carpets and other furniture.
- You can also lay down some boric acid powder on your windows.
- Sprinkle the boric acid powder in the areas where you see the most amount of clover mites, it could be in your wardrobe, bed, or even your floor. If the mites come in contact with the powder, they will die.
- The powder also acts as a repellent. So use it regularly to keep them away.
Precautions:
If you have pets or infants, it’s not a good idea to sprinkle boric acid where they can easily access it. If ingested, it can cause stomach pain and vomiting.
3. Soap Water
Using a soap water spray is great for both inside and outside use. It’s a cheap yet effective method that will kill off clover mites instantly.
These mites will suffocate when they are sprayed with soap water, and they eventually die. You can use this solution on an affected plant outside, or as a homemade bug spray inside the house.
Required Material:
- ½ tablespoon of dish soap.
- 1 liter of wate
- Spray Bottle
Step by Step Process:
- Mix ½ tablespoon of dish soap in one liter of water.
- Transfer the mixture to a spray bottle.
- Spray this mixture on any plant that has a lot of clover mites on them. You can also use it on your lawn.
- Inside the house, you can spray this mixture directly onto a mite when you see it. Later on, vacuum the mite away or gently brush it onto a dustpan making sure not to crush it.
Precautions:
Soap water can irritate your eyes, so do not spray it into your eyes by accident. Also, if you use it indoors, make sure to wipe the surface with a clean towel, otherwise, you can easily slip on soap water.
4. Lay down double-sided tapes
The good thing about clover mites is that they don’t fly. They don’t have wings at all. This means that when they come into your house, they crawl in, making it easy to trap them.
A simple tape is effectively able to catch these mites and stop them from moving further, so if you are dealing with a few mites indoors, this is a good method.
Required Material:
- Sticky tape or double-sided tape
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Step by Step Process:
- Lay down sticky tape on your window panes, folding the tape on the edges to hold it down.
- If you’re using a double-sided tape you can simply stick it on.
- Cover the sides of your window as well, since the mites can easily climb vertically.
- After a day or so, you’ll see the mites are stuck on to the tape, so then you can peel it off and discard it inside a plastic bag.
- You can lay down new tapes again until the mites are gone.
Precautions:
If the clover mites live outside your house, you’d have to first clean out the area where they live, otherwise, they will keep coming inside the house every day.
5. Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth is a white powder that is completely safe for humans and the environment, but lethal for mites and small soft-bodied insects.
This powder is soft when we touch it, but when seen under a microscope, it looks like a sharp spikey material. When insects walk over this powder, their exoskeleton will be pierced, and they will die very soon after that.
Required Material:
- Diatomaceous earth powder.
Step by Step Process:
- Sprinkle a generous amount of Diatomaceous earth on your lawn and on any plants that may have been affected by the mites.
- You can also lay down a line of Diatomaceous earth around your house to create a barrier that prevents the clover mites from coming inside your house.
- You have to re-apply the powder if it rains.
Precautions:
Diatomaceous earth is safe to use but always wear a mask while using it, to prevent any lung irritation.
6. Baking Soda
Baking Soda does not kill the clover mites, unlike Diatomaceous earth. But it is a great material to create a barrier that will limit the clover mites outside your house.
Laying down a line of baking soda will prevent these mites from crawling into your house, as they dislike walking over the dry and rough powder.
Required Material:
- Baking Soda Powder.
Step By Step Process:
- Lay down a generous amount of baking soda around the entry points of your house.
- You can also lay down a line of baking soda on your windows.
- This will keep these bugs out of your house.
Precautions:
If it rains, baking soda will melt away, so you’ll have to lay down more baking soda after the soil is dry again.
7. Repellent plants
Clover mites do not like plants like geranium, chrysanthemum, marigold, salvia, etc. If you think clover mites can become a big problem in your garden, then it’s a good idea to plant these plants in your garden.
Most of these are flowering plants, so as a bonus to not having these pesky bugs, you will also get beautiful flowers in your garden.
Required Material:
- Geranium, Chrysanthemum, Marigold, Salvia seeds.
Step by Step Process:
- Plant the seeds of these flowering plants according to instructions.
- Take regular care of these plants. Allow them to grow and bloom.
- Clover mites will stay away from these plants, making your garden less prone to them.
Precautions:
Don’t overwater or underwater your plants. Make sure to take care of the plants otherwise they will die.
8. Peppermint spray
Clover mites are repelled by the peppermint smell, therefore proving to be an efficient repellant for this annoying bug.
You can make your own peppermint spray out of peppermint essential oil, or you can buy a readymade natural clover mite repellant. This spray may not necessarily kill the mites, but it will keep them away from your house.
Required Material:
- Peppermint Essential Oil
- Water.
- Spray bottle.
Step by Step Process:
- Mix 1 teaspoon of peppermint oil in about ½ liter of water.
- Transfer the mixture to the spray bottle.
- Shake the bottle well, and spray on furniture, walls, and rugs, wherever you want the mites to stay out of.
- You can also directly spray it on a clover mite to get rid of it.
Precautions:
Peppermint oil can burn your skin, so wear gloves while handling the essential oil. Also, make sure not to spray into your eyes or nose accidentally.
9. Vinegar solution
A vinegar solution is an all-in-one bug killer. It’s used commonly to get rid of many types of mites, bugs, insects, etc. It’s a completely homemade solution and can be made using household items. Vinegar solution is also quite safe for humans as well as the environment.
Required Material:
- ½ cup of white vinegar.
- One liter of water.
- Spray bottle.
Step by Step Process:
- Mix ½ cup vinegar in 1 liter of water and transfer the mixture into a spray bottle.
- Spray directly onto the clover mites. It can be used both inside and outside the house.
- You can also store this mixture for a long time.
Precautions:
Vinegar can irritate your eyes and nose, so avoid spraying it on your face by accident.
5 Natural Ways to Prevent Clover Mites
1. Remove excess vegetation around your house
Clover mites live and feed off of plants, and so if you have a lot of plants and bushes around your house, clover mites can easily make it their home.
If you do not have a garden, regular mowing and trimming should effectively keep clover mites away from your house. If you do have a garden, regular maintenance and occasional insecticide treatments should keep clover mites away.
Keep in mind, you do not need a synthetic pesticide, any natural pesticide will also kill these mites.
2. Do not over-fertilize your soil
Clover mites love to live on grass that grows on fertilized soil. So, if you do not need to fertilize your soil for any particular reason, refrain from doing so.
Grass can easily grow on unfertilized soil, so you can keep your lawn without having to worry about clover mites.
3. Cover the perimeter of your house with dry soil
If you have a garden and the clover mites are still a problem after treating them, then you can create a barrier around your house to limit their activity to the outdoors.
To do this, you can dig a trench around the perimeter of your house and then fill it up with dry soil, gravel, and pebbles, sand, and stones. This will prevent the clover mites from coming inside your house.
4. Use tight window panels
Sometimes it’s just not in our hands to solve the problem of the clover mites, for example, if they are coming from your neighbor’s lawn.
In such a case, you can install tight-fitting window panels, which will help keep out the mites. Having tight window panels can also prevent other insects from entering your house.
5. Avoid planting things that attract them
Clover mites live on plants such as clovers, ornamental plants, etc. Avoid planting these plants around your garden to prevent clover mites from your garden.
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Final Comments:
Although Clover mites are not inherently harmful, they can not only leave permanent stains on your clothes or walls, if there are enough of them, they can also cause damage to your garden.
In any case, if you find clover mites in and around your house, it is a good idea to get rid of them before they become a problem. Now that you know how to control them, you’ll be able to use these simple yet natural remedies to manage a clover mite infestation effectively.