Chiggers are tiny, red, six-legged mites that belong to the arachnid family and are related to ticks. They are found in the South, Midwest, and Southeast of the United States during the hot summer months. Chiggers inject their mouthpieces into the skin to liquefy human skin cells, causing itchy bruises. They prefer thinner, softer skin and avoid anything too hot. Insect repellents containing DEET are effective at repelling them, and antihistamines, calamine lotion, or over-the-counter anti-itch lotions can relieve itching.
Perhaps one of the most feared and reviled pests of all summertime is the tiny chigger, a pest with a bite that packs a big punch. Chiggers, which are juvenile harvest mites, belong to the mite family Trombiculidae. They’re tiny — measuring about 1/100 of an inch (4 mm) — six-legged and red. Chiggers are related to ticks and belong to the arachnid family. In the United States, they are mostly found in the South, Midwest, and Southeast during the hot summer months. Several related types of the mite live throughout the world, with Trombiculidae alfreddugesi mainly found in the United States and Trombiculidae autumnalis found in the United Kingdom.
The reason this mite’s bite is so legendary is that the red, itchy bruises they inflict on their unsuspecting prey seem impossible for creatures so small. For anyone who has experienced a full-scale chigger attack can attest to the power of its bite. A common myth about chiggers is that they feed on human blood. In reality, the chigger’s diet consists of liquefied human skin cells. Only the juveniles of this particular type of mite feed on humans and animals, and once they are gorged (and have survived the onslaught), they fall to the ground and continue their life cycle as vegetarians.
Another well-spread myth about chiggers is that they burrow into the skin to feed. This is perhaps perpetuated by the fact that the bruises seem to grow over time and persist longer than the typical mosquito or flea bite. Chiggers don’t dig into the skin, but rather inject their mouthpieces into the skin over and over again, letting their digestive saliva liquefy the skin tissue. They remain sucking up the liquefied tissue for several hours or days, if they are not scratched, brushed or washed off the surface of the skin before they run out.
Due to the fact that the chigger has difficulty injecting its saliva into thicker skin, it seeks out thinner, softer skin, which is usually found in the creases around the ankles, knees, groin area, waist and thighs. armpits. As the skin creates a defense in reaction to the saliva, the skin around the feeding area develops into a hardened bruise. Itching and irritation can last for several days after the chigger has finished his meal.
Chicks love tall grass and warm summer temperatures. However, they avoid anything that is too hot, and when temperatures drop below 42°C (6°F), they die. Females and children appear to be bitten more often due to their softer, thinner skin, although chicks prefer birds and reptiles as target prey if given the opportunity. You can try to avoid the chicks by wearing long sleeves and pants and tucking the pants into your boots. Insect repellents containing DEET have been found to be very effective at repelling chiggers. If you think you may have caught some of these parasites, you can simply wipe them off or wash them off in a bath or shower with soap and water. If you suffer from chigger bites, you can relieve itching with an antihistamine, calamine lotion, or most over-the-counter anti-itch lotions.
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