RED ALERT
How do I get rid of tiny red spiders in the UK?
The small bugs can be a real problem for gardeners
MANY Brits have noticed small red spiders around their homes, leaving people curious about their origins.
Here, we look at what the tiny creatures are and how you can get rid of them without causing any mess.
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What are the little red spiders called?
The tiny red spiders found in the garden are not actually spiders at all despite their appearance.
Rather, they are known as clover mites or Bryobia praetiosa.
They are also described as bugs and blood spiders.
The oval-shaped bugs have been said to have an orange colour as on a microscope they look like an orangey red shade.
Read more on creepy crawlies
They are named clover mites because they like to feed on clover but they also eat other grasses, as well as some trees, ornamental plants, and shrubs.
The mites measure under 1mm in size, according to pest control provider , and have long legs pointing forward from their body.
However, they are commonly referred to as spiders due to their shape and are closely related.
In fact, they are arachnids and have eight legs.
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Why do I have clover mites?
Infestations of clover mites are at their peak when there are sudden changes in the weather or their habitat.
The mites usually move indoors in autumn when the plants they feed on start to perish, causing these pests to invade - even in their hundreds of thousands.
Infestations also occur in the spring with the sudden growth of lush vegetation found in gardens.
During the hotter summer weather, clover mites will lay eggs and become latent.
These eggs are often positioned in the cracks and crevices of a home’s exterior or between walls.
Why are there so many of them?
The red spider mites are capable of reproducing very quickly in the summer breeding season.
They may lay eggs which will cause even more of the insects to invade your home space.
Coming into autumn and the cooler weather, they tend to look for drier areas to hibernate and often infiltrate houses.
This is why they can be found on window frames and cracks in the wall in houses, says.
How do you get rid of little red spiders in your garden?
According to , the best way to stop an infestation of the mites is to keep your lawn mowed on a regular basis.
In addition, they advise against fertilising your lawns and gardens as the creatures thrive in fertilised plants.
If plants do become infected, it is best to isolate them before a cluster spreads.
says that the signs to look out for are the white and silk spots on plant leaves, as well as silk webs on the undersides.
It is also advised to keep plants in moist and humid conditions to drive the creatures away.
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The recommends contacting a pest control official if you have an infestation.
However, you can try pesticides and miticides, although you need to select a non-toxic, organic option so as not to harm other insects.
Insecticide aerosols can be used indoors, but make sure you are not using harmful propellants or any ozone-damaging chemicals.
What does little red spider damage look like?
It is advised not to crush them to kill them, as this will stain on walls and flooring.
They also can damage garden leaves as they suck up the juice and plant cells from the leaves.
The first signs of red spider mite damage are light dots on leaves.
If left untreated the leaves then turn yellow and drop off.
Are they dangerous?
No. The red spider mite is harmless to humans, but cannot hurt animals either.
And the mites can be a real nuisance for arachnophobes and tend to gather in large numbers.
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Arachnophobes have the fear of spiders and other arachnids such as scorpions and ticks.
The word comes from the Greek words arachne and phobia.
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