What kind of insect/bug is red in color and has eight legs.?

Question

It is the size of a tip of a pen ( super small) Also, I live in Cleveland Ohio and have found it on my desk at work.
I believe that these bugs are biting me as I sit in my office. Please let me know what these bugs are.

Answer 1

Having 8 legs means it's an arachnid (a spider). I also live in NE OH and have seen tiny red spiders, yet I've never known them to bite. They aren't crabs/pubic lice, just some small mite or spider.

Whether or not a specific spider can cause pruritis(itching) or necrotic reactions depends on two variables, the potency of the spiders venom and the strength of it's mandibles.

For instance, daddy-long-leg spiders have some of the most toxic venom but their mandibles are far too weak to puncture the human skin so they are harmless to us. A black widow, or brown recluse on the other hand, have potent venom and strong mandibles.

If you aren't having a necrotic reaction (pain, inflammation, spreading damaged tissue), they should be nothing more than an annoyance. A spray of OFF (though be aware that stuff is toxic), or citronella or lemongrass or lavender should keep them away from your desk area.

Answer 2

Eight legs? Are you sure...? The only insects that really have eight legs are spiders. And if the spider has red in it, that's usually a pretty good indication that it may be poisonous.

Answer 3

Sounds like a mite. Those don't bite you as they live on plants and prey on smaller insects. Are you an insect? Then it could bite you...

Answer 4

If it has 8 legs it is an arachnid, a spider.

Answer 5

Maybe they are clover mites?

Answer 6

possibility, don't panic http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2100.html