Question
I hope you can help! A couple of weeks ago my husband and I noticed very tiny(can't even take a picture they are so small) brown bugs all over the grill and countertop on our outside wood deck. Tonight we went outside and noticed that there are now millions of them all over EVERYTHING!! Railings, floors, tables, lawn furniture, etc!!! If we stand still in one place they start crawling on your feet! The funny thing is when you flick on the light(they only seem to be there at night!)they are very still but if you tap on the deck they scatter or if you step on one and kill it a bunch come over to it!! I know I sound crazy but it is really, really gross. I have a small child and a small dog so I don't want to just spray everything down with poison unless it is totally necessary!  PLEASE PLEASE HELP!!

Answer
Katie,

These sound like clover mites. Clover mites feed on plants and grasses. They are harmless but can occur in enormous numbers in the spring and fall. They can also enter houses and become a nuisance. Here's a bulletin from Ohio State University http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2095.html that discusses life history.

The mites will eventually go away when the weather gets warmer and dryer. You could also treat them with insecticidal soap. If you are not familiar with insecticidal soap here's some general information http://www.livingwithbugs.com/insecticidal_soap.html about using soaps.

Jack DeAngelis, PhD
Extension Entomologist (ret.)
My website about home and garden pests: http://www.livingwithbugs.com