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Integrated Pest Management

Tiny red bugs on wood deck

15 years ago

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My son-in-law has these tiny red bugs on his patio deck in Columbus, Ohio. He says they're smaller than a pinhead and there are about 25-50 per square foot. He hasn't noticed any on his plants.

Is anyone able to identify and should he hose them off?

Thank you.

Featured Answer

ronalawn82

15 years ago

janice5, it might be the immature stage of the 'false box elder beetle' (Jadera haematoloma). It is associated with the Golden Rain tree in Florida and it can invade homes to overwinter. The literature suggests that the insect is migrating northward and has become associated with the Soapberry family (Sapindaceae).

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Comments (7)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
15 years ago
It looks like an 8 legged critter to me! One of the 'clover mites' or similiar....there has been quite a few posts about them lately.

By all means, spray them off with a mild,soapy solution.
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Red spider mite I believe. The link below describes spider mites in general. Note that it mentions spraying insecticides to get control may aggravate the problem because you can kill off the beneficial insects that prey on them (and bad guys always come back first!). They thrive in hot dry environments, so cultural controls would include creating a humid environment and periodically spraying off foliage. Here is a link that might be useful: Colorodo State Extension-Spider Mite Fact Sheet
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I just used some dishsoap and water concoction hoping this will work. What do you all think? For the rest, my local garden shop suggested "Eight" I have never used it....anyone know anything about this product? I'm honestly praying the dishsoap will work. So far so good, but it's only been a few minutes. Who knows??Haha
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The original poster described something that was clearly not spider mites. I even doubt that they are red velvet mites, since the environment is so hostile to those animals. There are many species of what we can call 'clover mites' and this is what she observed. They can be quite alarming sometimes, the way they'll climb all over everything. Boxelder nymphs are something quite different. Yes, they are very small and red when they first hatch, but not as small as the typical clover mite. Few people would mistake them for a mite, I think. Attached is an image of your BEB, just hatched! Spider mites are WAAY smaller than a clover mite, by the way. Here is a link that might be useful:
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lpinkmountain
15 years ago
That's a mite! Particularly if it is the size of the head of a pin. Amazing that you got such a clear photo.
cschaffer_hvc_rr_com
15 years ago
We have lots of tiny red bugs on our wood deck. They seem to appear more when it's really hot out. They're about the size of this . ~ they're not bright red, I don't think they fly, but they do somehow latch onto you if you get too close, then the itching starts! I've even found them crawling on my computer screen now and then, which I assume is because of the heat. Any ideas? We have a dog so we don't use pesticides.
breenthumb
15 years ago
Looks like the mite that destroyed our Paperwhite Birch and many others in the neighborhood years ago. Tell your SIL to keep a good eye on his trees, etc.

Not sure how much damage they could do to already cut lumber, but wouldn't want them there. Sandy
Kimmsr
15 years ago
Looks like Spider Mite to me.

Here is a link that might be useful: Spider Mites
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
15 years ago
Spider mites are smaller than what the OP describes, and they won't be found in large numbers other than on plants.

The 'clover mites' are a common nuisance in the summer time. They are typically described as being on the siding, along window sills, on the deck/patio, and even in the home.

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