Finding tiny red spiders crawling around your home can be alarming. But before you panic it’s important to identify what type of spider you’re dealing with. Many small red spiders found indoors are harmless while some may require pest control measures. This article will discuss the common types of red small spiders that invade houses, how to identify them, and what to do if you spot them.
Common Red Small Spiders in Houses
Here are some of the most frequently encountered red small spiders that make their way indoors
Clover Mites
Clover mites are extremely tiny, measuring about 1/30 of an inch. They have oval-shaped bodies that are reddish in color. Clover mites feed on plants and grass outdoors but may accidentally enter houses through cracks and crevices. These mites do not bite humans or pets. They are nuisance pests that can stain walls, fabric, and other surfaces when crushed.
Red Velvet Mites
Red velvet mites are bright red, fuzzy-looking mites covered in fine hairs that give them a velvety appearance. They inhabit gardens, forests, and moist outdoor environments. They may find their way inside but pose no threat. Red velvet mites are predatory mites that feed on small insects.
Strawberry Spiders
As the name suggests, strawberry spiders are tiny red mites about 1mm long that inhabit strawberries and other fruits. They sometimes make their way inside on produce but are primarily agricultural pests.
Red Spider Mites
Red spider mites are minuscule plant-feeding mites less than 1mm long. They have a vibrant red hue. Outdoor populations occasionally enter houses through openings and ride in on potted plants. They can damage plants but don’t directly affect people or pets.
Chiggers
Chiggers are red mites measuring around 0.4 mm. They inhabit grassy areas but can latch onto people or pets and get carried indoors. Chigger bites cause intense itching and welts on the skin. They are temporary pests that don’t infest homes.
Southern Red Mite
The southern red mite is a reddish-brown mite and common household pest. It can infest homes and feeds on skin cells shed by people and pets. Bites may cause mild skin irritation. Reducing humidity can help control southern red mite infestations indoors.
How to Identify Red Small Spiders
Examining the spider closely is necessary for accurate identification. Look for key features like:
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Size – Most red small spiders in homes range from 0.4mm to 1mm.
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Body shape – Oval-shaped bodies indicate mites. More spider-like bodies point to spiders.
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Legs – Mites have eight legs. Spiders have eight legs and two additional pedipalps near the mouth.
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Color – Shades of bright or deep red are typical of red small spiders. Some may have additional markings.
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Behavior – Mites tend to move hastily. Spiders are slower and more methodical.
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Webs – Web-building indicates spiders. Mites don’t spin webs.
Use a magnifying glass for a closer look. Identification guides, reference photos, and pest control pros can also help pin down species.
Are Red Small Spiders Dangerous?
Most red small spiders found in homes are not dangerous to humans. Some exceptions include:
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Chiggers – Bites cause skin irritation.
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Southern red mites – Can bite and prompt mild allergic reactions.
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Red spider mites – Damage houseplants and food crops but don’t directly affect people.
Bites from household spiders are generally harmless, despite causing discomfort. Only a small number of spiders worldwide have venom that can seriously harm people. None of the red small spider species frequently encountered indoors fall into this category.
How to Get Rid of Red Small Spiders
If the red spiders in your home are identified as nuisance invaders, here are some tips for control:
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Seal cracks and crevices – Caulk and seal openings around windows, doors, pipes, and the foundation to block entry points.
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Clean and vacuum – Remove spider webs and thoroughly vacuum all floors and furniture to eliminate spiders and egg sacs.
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Reduce humidity – Dehumidify damp basements and other humid areas of the home to deter mites.
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Discard infested plants – Get rid of houseplants irreparably infested with red spider mites.
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Use desiccant dusts – Apply diatomaceous earth in wall voids and other spider hotspots indoors. The sharp dusts dehydrate and kill small spiders.
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Insecticide sprays – Residual sprays applied along baseboards and around windows can kill active spiders entering the home.
For heavy infestations or difficult species, contact a licensed pest control professional for chemical treatments and pro advice. Act quickly when seeing red small spiders to prevent larger issues.
When to Worry About Red Small Spiders at Home
As long as you’ve positively identified the red spiders as harmless species, there’s minimal cause for concern if just a few wandering spiders are spotted. Higher alert is warranted if you notice:
- Clusters of red spiders emerging from cracks or wall voids
- Repeated sightings of dozens of spiders daily
- Bites or skin reactions on people or pets
- Severe plant damage from suspected spider pests
- Difficulty reducing populations with self-treatment methods
Don’t panic if you find just a couple red spiders roaming around now and then. But recurrent infestations or unknown species call for a closer look. Defining the specific spider, locating the source, and consulting pros can provide solutions for relief from household spider problems.
Are Clover Mites Harmful To the House?
Clover mites are not harmful to your house, though they may cause house plants and outdoor plants to wither. They are a nuisance, and it can seem like an infestation when they get in, especially around windows. Avoid squishing them as they will leave little red stains. Instead, vacuum them up and dispose of them in an outside trash receptacle.
Can Clover Mites Harm Humans?
No, clover mites are not harmful to humans. Though they are from the same family of bugs as spiders and ticks, they do not feed on humans the way some other mites do. They are considered a nuisance pest and most of us do not want them crawling all over our house.
Meet ‘clover mites’, they’re tiny but everywhere
FAQ
What are the tiny red spiders in my house?
Answer: What you may have are clover mites (Bryobia praetiosa). They are small, reddish mites, about the size of the head of a pin and usually moving around very quickly. Problems with these mites usually occur in the spring, but there are regions that also experience population increases in the fall.
Are clover mites harmful to humans?
- Not a health risk: Clover mites are plant feeders and don’t bite or feed on humans or pets.
- Nuisance pest: While not harmful, they can be a nuisance due to their tendency to invade homes in large numbers, especially in spring and fall.
- Don’t transmit diseases: They don’t transmit diseases or carry harmful bacteria.
- May cause minor skin irritation: Some people may experience minor skin irritation if they are allergic to clover mites
- Stains: Crushing clover mites can leave red stains, but these are from their body pigments, not blood.
- Not wood-eating: Clover mites are not wood-eating insects that can cause structural damage to homes.
- Life cycle: Clover mites go through egg, larva, nymph, and adult stages.
- Prevention: To prevent clover mites from entering your home, seal up cracks and crevices around doors, windows, and foundations.
Is a small red spider poisonous?
The red house spider’s bite is painful, but since its venom is non-necrotic it should not cause death of skin cells and a lesion as does a brown recluse bite. These spiders are not aggressive, but will bite if their web is disturbed, so be cautious when cleaning out spider webs.
Are red spider mites a problem?
Red spider mites are significant pests in many crops and other plants.
What does a red house spider look like?
Red house spiders are small, with females measuring about 6-8mm in length. They are typically brownish in color with a reddish abdomen. Red house spiders are often found in homes, particularly in corners, crevices, and dark areas. They construct small webs to catch prey, such as flies and mosquitoes, making them beneficial housemates.
Are there red spiders in the House?
Red spiders in the house are typically eight-legged arachnids belonging to the genus Nesticodes. These small, red-bodied creatures are usually found lurking in dark corners, in the crevices of door frames and windows, and under furniture. However, there are also other, less common, species of red spiders that live outdoors.
Do red house spiders bite?
Though its bite is painful, Red House Spiders are more elusive, avoiding direct sunlight. The Broad-Faced Sac Spider (Trachelas tranquillus) is a small species with a dark red-brown cephalothorax, bright red legs, and a muted gray abdomen. Males grow to 5-6mm, while females reach 7-8mm.
Are red spiders common indoors?
The most common red spider you’ll likely encounter indoors is the red house spider (Nesticodes rufipes). The small pesky critters like hiding in cool, dark places like in cracks, crevices, and gaps. It’s possible to identify these tiny spiders by their bulbous dark red abdomen and reddish-orange spiny legs.
What is a red spider?
Red spiders, also known as red house spiders, are a common type of household spider. There are several species of red spiders, and they are typically small in size. How do I Identify Red Spiders? Look for a red or reddish-brown body color, a compact body shape, and long, thin legs.
Are red house spiders venomous?
Looking at pictures of red house spiders, you may think they look like dark red black widows, or brown widow spiders. This is because red house spiders are in the same family, Theridiidae. However, red house spiders lack the characteristic hourglass markings of black widows. Although they are venomous creatures, red house spiders aren’t dangerous.