The tiny little red bugs you are seeing are most likely clover mites (Bryobia praetiosa). Clover mites are very small arachnids, related to spiders, ticks, and scorpions, and are about 1/30 of an inch in size-no larger than a pinhead
. They have eight legs as adults, with notably long front legs that they hold like antennae, although they do not have actual antennae since they are arachnids
. Clover mites are bright red or rusty red in color, and when crushed, they leave a red stain due to a pigment in their bodies-not blood
. They feed on the sap of grasses, clover, plants, and weeds, but they do not bite or feed on humans or pets
. They are considered nuisance pests because they can invade homes in large numbers, especially in spring and fall, often entering through tiny cracks near foundations or windows
. While they do not cause structural damage or bite, their presence can be annoying, and crushing them can stain surfaces
. They are attracted to heavily fertilized lawns and sunny areas on the south side of buildings
. In summary, these tiny red bugs are harmless clover mites that feed on plants, not people, and are mostly a nuisance due to their numbers and staining when crushed
