Little tiny bugs are invading my house and leaving red stains on the furniture and carpets. What are they and how can I get rid of them?

Clover mites sometimes move into homes in February and early spring. When crushed they leave those tell-tale rusty red stains. The good news is they don't bite, cause disease, or eat household furnishings. Remove them when they become abundant by vacuuming them and disposing of the vacuum cleaner bag. Clover mites can also be spot treated and killed with household "spray and wash" cleaners. An effective way to prevent clover mites from entering your home in the first place is to remove all grass next to the foundation leaving a strip of soil at least three feet wide. The strip may be covered with pea gravel or planted with annual or perennial flowers. You may also spray a chemical barrier strip on the outside, 5 to 10 feet out from the base of the foundation and a few feet up on the walls especially on the south and west sides of the house. Malathion is an acceptable product for this use. Always read and follow the label directions. For more information, see CSU Factsheet 5.505. Link ...  more