How do I get rid of tiny red bugs in my bathroom?

Question: We have tiny red bugs that seem to be coming through all of our windows. Most are in the bathroom but also throughout the house.

I looked online, and it sounds like they are chiggers. If this is what they are ... is there something that can be done? Our home is only three years old, and everything seems to be sealed alright. In fact, my husband resealed in the main windows above our whirlpool tub where they seem to be accumulating. I have to clean the whirlpool and floor every day. We also pressure washed the house this past weekend, and it seemed as though they were coming from underneath the siding. Anyway, the problem is so disgusting, and I just want to know what can be done.

Answer: What you may have are probably 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.

These mites live and feed in turfgrass and for the most part remain unnoticed. Every once in a while (and we don't know why!) populations get very large, and the mites start to migrate from the grass. They usually move out of the grass and up the sides of houses. Sometimes they enter houses through windows and doors. They will not infest the house and will not bite people or pets. They can be a nuisance. If they are crushed, they can leave a stain.

A quick control method is to wash them off the side of the house with a garden hose, and you can vacuum them from sites indoors. Call your local Orkin Branch office to have a highly trained Orkin Pest Specialist come to your home and conduct an inspection. Upon assessing the situation, your Orkin Pest Specialist will make recommendations on ways to close down entry points and develop a customized treatment backed by science to best meet your needs.