Tiny red bugs are common in homes and gardens. Their bright coloration and tendency to appear in large numbers make them noticeable. Understanding their distinct features, typical behaviors, and potential effects helps determine if they are a nuisance or a more significant issue.
Identifying the Common Tiny Red Bugs
Several types of tiny red bugs are commonly encountered.
Clover mites are very small, typically less than 1/30 inch long, and appear reddish-brown or dark olive-green with pale orange legs. A distinguishing feature is their elongated front pair of legs, often mistaken for antennae. These mites commonly congregate on windowsills, walls, and exterior surfaces, especially on sunny eastern and southern sides of buildings.
Spider mites are tiny arachnids, often less than 1/20 inch long, appearing as small moving dots. While some species are red, others can be pale green, tan, or spotted. They are typically found on the undersides of plant leaves and produce fine silk webbing, a key indicator of their presence, especially when populations are high.
Chiggers, also known as harvest mites or red bugs, are microscopic, with larvae being about 1/150 inch long and adults up to 1/10 inch. Larval chiggers are often orange-red to reddish-brown and have six legs, while adults have eight. These mites are nearly invisible individually, but their bites are very noticeable. Chiggers are primarily encountered outdoors in grassy or wooded areas.
Boxelder bug nymphs are often mistaken for tiny red bugs. Young insects are bright red when they hatch, measuring about 1/16 inch. As they mature, they develop black markings and wing pads, eventually becoming mostly black with red markings as adults. They are found on box elder trees and around homes, particularly on warm surfaces.
Understanding Their Habits and Impact
Clover mites primarily feed on plant fluids from grasses and herbaceous plants, including clover. While they can cause some stippling on leaves, they are generally nuisance pests, not harmful ones. They do not bite humans or pets and do not transmit diseases. However, when crushed, clover mites can leave a reddish-brown stain on walls, carpets, or furniture. They often invade homes in large numbers during spring and fall, seeking shelter from temperature fluctuations.
Spider mites feed by piercing plant cells and sucking out contents, causing visible damage. Initial signs include tiny white or yellow spots, known as stippling, on the upper leaf surface. Heavy infestations can cause leaves to yellow, bronze, and drop prematurely. These mites thrive in hot, dry conditions and reproduce rapidly, posing a threat to various plants, including fruit trees, vegetables, and ornamentals. They do not directly impact humans.
Only larval chiggers feed on humans and animals. They do not burrow into the skin, but inject digestive enzymes that liquefy skin cells for consumption. This feeding causes intense itching, red bumps, and sometimes blisters, typically appearing in clusters around tight-fitting clothing areas. Chiggers are commonly found in damp, grassy, or wooded areas and are most active during warmer months. While their bites are irritating, chiggers are not known to transmit diseases.
Boxelder bug nymphs and adults feed on the sap of box elder, maple, and ash trees, typically without causing significant plant damage. They become a nuisance when gathering in large numbers on sunny building sides in late summer and fall for overwintering. Like clover mites, they can stain surfaces if crushed, leaving reddish marks on curtains, drapes, or clothing. These bugs do not bite humans or pets.
Managing and Preventing Their Presence
Managing tiny red bugs involves environmental adjustments and direct interventions.
Sealing cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and foundations prevents clover mite entry into homes. Creating a grass-free zone, about 18 to 24 inches wide, around the house foundation, especially on sunny sides, can deter them as they struggle to cross bare soil or mulch. Inside, vacuuming effectively removes mites without crushing them and causing stains.
Regularly hosing down plants with a forceful stream of water dislodges spider mites and reduces populations, particularly on leaf undersides. Ensuring plants are adequately watered and not stressed also helps. Introducing natural predators, such as predatory mites, can be an effective biological control for outdoor plants. For indoor plants, wiping leaves with a damp cloth or insecticidal soap removes mites.
Preventing chigger bites involves avoiding their habitats and using protective measures outdoors. Wear long pants and sleeves, tuck pant legs into socks, and apply insect repellents containing DEET to skin and clothing. After spending time in chigger-prone areas, shower immediately with soap and hot water to wash off chiggers. In the yard, regularly mowing grassy areas, pulling weeds, and removing debris reduces chigger populations.
Effective prevention for boxelder bugs involves sealing entry points into homes, such as cracks around windows and doors, and repairing damaged screens. Vacuuming removes bugs that have entered, and dispose of the vacuum bag outdoors to prevent their return. Reducing clutter and debris around the foundation also eliminates hiding places. While removing host trees like box elder can reduce populations, maintaining a clean perimeter around the home is a practical approach.