Chiggers are a nasty pest. They go by a variety of common names: Red Bugs, Harvest Bugs, Mowers Mites, and others, but if you’ve ever come in contact with one, you’ll never forget it.
Technically, these pests are not insects but arachnids from the same family as spiders and ticks. They are found in all countries and love to be in moist, grassy areas. Woodland edges are good, as is the average American backyard. They lie in wait a foot off the ground waiting for a victim to pass and then latch on.
Chiggers are most active when the ground temperature is between 77 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit and will die if it drops below 42 degrees. Therefore, Spring, Summer and Autumn are when they are looking for food. Once on a victim, they travel for skin to do their damage and when you understand what chiggers do to your body, you will surely choose to avoid them!
They don’t actually bite, they inject their saliva! Yes, they have sharp claws that pierce the skin to inject their saliva. Their saliva destroys skin cells and turns into a soft mess. Then the chiggers take that porridge as food.
What remains is destroyed skin that itches, hurts and a chigger ‘bite’ takes a long time to heal.
The more Chiggers encounter him, the more likely his reaction will be misdiagnosed as a rash. But this is not a rash, it is each individual injection site reacting to saliva. Gross!
So how can you prevent tiny bugs from turning you to mush?
First step, it helps to wear long sleeves and long pants with the pants tucked into the socks to avoid exposing skin. But that’s easier said than done in the high temperatures between 77 and 86 degrees! You can also avoid areas that Chiggers like to dwell in, but there are other ways to protect yourself without evasion techniques.
Before you go out, spray yourself with your favorite all-natural pest control product. Make sure your product has passed rigorous safety tests and has clear instructions. DO NOT use toxic synthetic chemical pesticides because it will absorb the toxins into your skin.
Chiggers like to burrow where clothing is tight, so spray well along the waistline and near undergarments. It’s also smart to spray inside socks and on shirt cuffs. If you’re outdoors for a long time or doing strenuous activity, it’s a good idea to reapply.
As an extra layer of protection, you can add ¼ to ½ cup of your favorite all-natural (water-soluble) pest control product to your clothes’ fabric softener cycle. This will infuse your clothing with an extra layer of protection letting chiggers know you’re off limits!
