Chiggers are tiny mites that can cause intensely itchy bites. Chiggers cannot physically penetrate most clothing materials, a common misunderstanding. They instead exploit various routes to reach the skin, and understanding these pathways is important for effective prevention.
Chiggers and Fabric
Chigger larvae, the stage that bites humans, are extremely small, typically measuring between 0.15 to 0.5 millimeters in length, making them barely visible to the naked eye. Their mouthparts are designed for piercing skin and injecting digestive enzymes, not for chewing through fabric fibers. Chiggers do not burrow into the skin, nor do they suck blood; they feed on dissolved skin cells.
Their physical limitations mean they cannot bite directly through the weave of most tightly woven fabrics. The issue of chigger bites when wearing clothes is not about penetration, but rather how these tiny creatures gain access to the skin.
How Chiggers Bypass Clothing
Chiggers are adept at finding ways to bypass clothing and reach the skin. They often crawl on clothing for several hours, searching for an access point. This explains why bites frequently appear in specific areas.
These mites commonly exploit clothing openings such as necklines, shirt cuffs, and pant legs. They can also access skin through waistbands or other areas where clothing is not fully sealed. Chiggers frequently migrate upward on clothing until they find a suitable location to attach.
Pressure points, where clothing fits tightly against the skin, are common sites for chigger bites, such as sock lines, waistbands, bra lines, and behind the knees or in the armpits. While chiggers cannot penetrate tightly woven fabrics, loosely woven or thin materials may offer less of a barrier, allowing them to crawl through gaps more easily.
Clothing for Chigger Protection
Selecting appropriate clothing can significantly reduce the risk of chigger bites. Wearing long sleeves and long pants creates a physical barrier against these mites. Tucking pant legs into socks or boots further seals off potential entry points.
Tightly woven fabrics like denim or canvas are more effective than loose weaves, minimizing chigger movement. Loose-fitting clothing can also reduce pressure points where chiggers settle. However, excessively baggy clothing might create more openings for chiggers to crawl under.
Treating clothing with permethrin is an effective preventive measure against chiggers. Permethrin is an insecticide that repels and kills chiggers upon contact with the treated fabric. It should be applied to clothing, not directly to the skin, and allowed to dry completely before wear. This treatment remains effective through several washings, offering long-lasting protection.
After Outdoor Exposure
Prompt action after outdoor exposure can help prevent chigger bites. Upon returning indoors, remove clothing immediately. This prevents chiggers from migrating to the skin or other surfaces in the home.
Washing exposed clothing in hot water with detergent and drying on high heat effectively kills lingering chiggers. Avoid re-wearing unwashed clothing from chigger habitats. Taking a warm, soapy shower and scrubbing the skin promptly after exposure can also dislodge any attached chiggers.