Chiggers are tiny, nearly microscopic mites that can turn an enjoyable outdoor experience into a week of intense itching. These pests are the six-legged larval stage, and they are the only stage that feeds on humans and animals. Understanding their specific habitat and feeding behavior is the first step in avoiding their painful bites. Clarifying where these arachnids hide and how they interact with skin is crucial for anyone spending time in grassy or wooded areas.
Where Chiggers Live and Why They Bite
Chiggers live in grassy areas, but they are most concentrated in specific environments that offer high humidity and protection. They thrive not in open, well-maintained lawns, but in transition zones between manicured grass and dense vegetation, such as tall weeds, berry patches, or the edges of wooded areas. These mites are found close to the ground, climbing onto vegetation up to 18 inches high, where they wait for a host to brush past.
Chiggers do not fly or jump; instead, they crawl from the plant onto a passing host. Once on a host, the larvae migrate to areas where clothing fits tightly against the skin or where the skin is thin, such as the ankles, waistline, and behind the knees. The larval stage is the only one that feeds on vertebrates; the nymph and adult stages are free-living predators of insect eggs and other small arthropods.
The chigger’s goal is not to drink blood, but to consume dissolved skin cells. The larva pierces the skin and injects a salivary secretion containing digestive enzymes. This enzyme liquefies the surrounding tissue, and the mite sucks up the resulting cellular slurry. This process creates a hardened feeding tube in the skin, called a stylostome, which can remain after the mite is gone.
Recognizing and Treating Chigger Bites
The intense itching associated with a chigger bite usually begins within three to six hours after the mite has attached and started feeding. The skin reaction appears as small, reddish welts that may resemble pimples or blisters, often found in clusters around areas where clothing was tight. The common belief that chiggers burrow under the skin is inaccurate; the intense reaction is caused by the body’s inflammatory response to the injected digestive enzymes.
If exposure is suspected, immediately washing the skin with soap and water can help dislodge any chiggers that have not yet begun to feed. Vigorously scrubbing the affected area is recommended to remove any remaining mites. Once welts have formed, treatment focuses on relieving discomfort and managing the itch, which can persist for up to two weeks.
Applying over-the-counter anti-itch products, such as hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion, can help soothe the irritation. Oral antihistamines are effective at reducing the body’s inflammatory reaction and alleviating the intense itching. Avoid scratching the bites, as this can break the skin and lead to secondary bacterial infections.
Protecting Yourself from Infestation
Personal protection is the most effective defense against chiggers when entering known habitats like tall grass or weedy areas. Wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts made of tightly woven fabric creates a physical barrier. Tucking pant legs into socks or boots and buttoning cuffs helps close off common entry points the mites use to reach the skin.
Using an EPA-registered insect repellent is another robust measure. Repellents containing DEET can be applied directly to exposed skin. Permethrin is an insecticide that should only be applied to clothing and allowed to dry before wearing; this treated clothing remains effective through several washings and kills chiggers when they crawl onto the fabric.
To reduce chigger populations in a yard, environmental control focuses on reducing their preferred humid habitat. Keeping lawns mowed short and removing dense brush or weeds minimizes the shaded, moist areas where chiggers thrive. Maximizing sunlight exposure helps dry out the ground and vegetation, making the area less hospitable to the mites.