Those minuscule red bugs you’ve likely spotted on your fence or garden furniture are clover mites, and they're surprisingly not insects.

These arachnids, like spiders, are mostly just a nuisance crawling on your furniture, but they can munch on your plants and become a true infestation.

That’s why, if there's already a massive congregation of them or they've invaded your home, you might need to take action.

Firstly, make sure you’re not overfeeding your lawn with too much fertiliser as it makes clover mites happy, and keep your grass a healthy height (three to four inches).

Keep trees and shrubs away from your house so they can't use branches as highways, and plant them at least half their mature size away from buildings.

If you already have them close by, prune regularly, but try to keep a three-foot plant-free zone around your house foundation.

Cover this plant-free area with gravel or mulch to make it hard for mites to cross.

James Ewens of Alexander Francis told Express.co.uk: “Clover mites thrive in dry conditions, so be sure to maintain consistent soil moisture, especially during hot spells of weather.

“This discourages mites and keeps your plants healthy, making them less susceptible to damage.”

The gardening expert went on to suggest: “A garden teeming with life is a clover mite's nightmare!

“Encourage helpful creatures like ladybugs by planting flowering herbs and creating habitat features like bug hotels. These natural predators will keep clover mite populations in check.”

Finally, Ewens recommended conducting regular checks around the garden to increase the chances of being able to get a potential infestation dealt with as soon as you spot it.

"The quicker you spot a clover mite infestation the easier it is to manage. Regularly inspect the undersides of leaves in your garden for small, yellow or silver patches, as these are a telltale sign of clover mites.

“If you spot a light infestation, a forceful stream of water during your watering routine can help to dislodge them!”