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Chiggers = Ouch

Small but mighty: Chiggers are tiny but they can cause enormous distress and discomfort



close up of chigger on finger

While they look alike, and are often confused for each other, chiggers are not ticks. They are mite larvae, more closely related to spiders (as are ticks) than to insects.



What Do Chiggers Look Like?


Chiggers are small. Like, really small. The parasitic larvae only have six legs when newly hatched and are only about 1/100 of an inch in diameter. They range from yellowish to light red. As they turn into adults, they have eight legs and become predators instead of parasites, feeding on insects and eggs, growing to be 4/100 of an inch. As adults, chiggers turn a bright red color, making them more visible despite their tiny size, and earning them the nickname "red bugs". You've probably seen them walking along leaves or edges of sidewalks.


What Do Chiggers Do?


Chiggers bite. Specifically, chigger larvae are parasites that will find a host to bite and feed on. Once they reach the growth stages beyond larvae - nymphs and adults - they are predators and no longer look for a host. So when we refer to chigger bites, it's only chiggers in the larva stage that cause the typical red, itchy bites.

Chiggers don't suck your blood like mosquitoes. They pierce your skin and inject an enzyme that will allow them to use your skin cells for food.  In spite of popular belief, chiggers do not burrow into your skin; however, the swelling around the bite may become substantial enough to cover the feeding chigger, making it seem like they've burrowed into you.


Itching typically starts 3-6 hours after the chigger latches on, peaking between 1-2 days after. The redness and itching can last for weeks. The bumps, swelling, pustules, and pain is caused by an allergic reaction to the enzyme that chiggers inject into the skin.


In addition to the itchy, swollen bite areas, chiggers can spread fatal diseases such as Scrub typhus (CDC), though this is primarily a concern in other countries.


Chiggers don't usually last long on human hosts because of our itching and regular showering. Warm, soapy water will wash the chiggers from your skin and scratching can dislodge them as well. Because of this, chiggers usually prefer animal hosts, meaning that your pet is in even more danger than you are. And, pets will experience the itchy, bumpy discomfort that you do.


How Do I Protect Myself From Chiggers?


Obviously, the best way to avoid chigger bites is to keep chiggers away from your body. If you are going into an area that chiggers may be found, wear long pants tucked into boots and long-sleeved shirts fully buttoned. Try not to sit or lay down directly on the ground. As soon as possible after exposure, take a warm soapy shower.


Over the counter bug repellent for your skin that contains DEET will offer some protection, as will products like tick repellents that contain permethrin which are applied directly to clothing and allowed to dry.


Keeping lawns trimmed short and yards maintained with clean landscaping will limit the attractiveness of your outdoor spaces to chiggers. If you are near new construction areas, where land has recently been cleared, near forested areas or unkempt fields, you are more likely to encounter chigger infestations in or near your home. Additionally, if you have a large amount of wildlife around your property, the chigger population is likely to be higher, as they have more hosts on which to feed.


While granular insecticide application isn't as effective, professional pest control companies that use specific sprayed insecticides can help keep chiggers off your property. This is especially helpful if it is both maintained as a barrier around your home and sprayed directly onto your yard, trees, bushes and grass.



At Virginia Pest Pro, we always use the maximumly safe application techniques when we spray yards and homes to provide the best protection out there. Call us today and let us help you avoid an itchy summer.



For information about other native Virginia pests, check out our pest library and other blog posts

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