How to Get Rid of Chiggers in Your Home and Yard

Chiggers—also known as chigger mites, harvest mites, and harvest lice—are tiny, red bugs belonging to the arachnid class of insects. Chiggers are too small to be seen with the naked eye and require a magnifying glass to be identified. Chigger bites are caused by chigger larvae. After the eggs hatch, the larvae quickly dispense to nearby vegetation in search of prey. They attach themselves to their host with their claws, pierce the skin with their feeding tube, and inject the host with digestive enzymes in order to liquefy the skin cells. After consuming digested skin cells, chiggers leave the host and complete the larval stage by developing into eight-legged nymphs. They continue to eat vegetation until they finally develop into adult chiggers.

Chiggers occupy thick vegetation and shady areas. They're most commonly found in grassy areas, woodlands, swamp areas, and thickets. They tend to accumulate at the base of tall grasses in wait for a passing animal or person. They thrive in warm, humid conditions, so their active season will depend on where you live. In Minnesota, they may only be active between late spring and early summer, while in Florida, chiggers can live year-round.

There are several measures you can take to prevent a chigger infestation in your yard.

1. 1. Mow grassy areas, and pull weeds. The most effective pest control measure for eradicating chiggers from your yard is to destroy their preferred habitats. This means pulling out weeds from landscaping and mowing tall grassy areas.
2. 2. Apply an organic pesticide. A broadcast application of an organic pesticide, such as diatomaceous earth, can effectively kill chiggers. Apply datomaceous earth it to hotspots in your yard or around the perimeter of your yard. Water the treated areas to release the active ingredients.
3. 3. Keep common host animals out. Squirrels, chipmunks, and other small mammals are common chigger hosts. If you have an abundance of these animals in your yard, you may want to consider finding solutions to minimizing their presence. Building a fence, removing ponds or water features, taking down bird feeders, and securing trash cans may help deter these animals from occupying your yard.

Unlike bed bugs and fleas, chiggers cannot survive long indoors. When brought inside on clothing or pets, chiggers can make their way to carpet or furniture. If you suspect you have a chigger problem indoors, thoroughly vacuum your carpets, rugs, and furniture. Disinfect surfaces with cleaning wipes or all-purpose spray, and wash affected clothing and bedding with soap and hot water. Fumigation is usually unnecessary, as chiggers will die on their own after a few days indoors.

If you plan to spend time in potentially chigger-infested areas, take these preventative measures to avoid bug bites.

1. 1. Wear long sleeves, long pants, and tall socks. Chiggers are attracted to human skin. Cover up exposed skin to avoid getting bitten. Tuck your pant legs into your socks for an added level of defense.
2. 2. Apply an insect repellent. Before heading into chigger hot spots, apply an insect repellent containing DEET. Alternatively, a mixture of essential oils like lavender, tea tree, and citronella diluted with water may help repel these tiny pests. Apply bug spray to exposed skin and areas that chiggers are attracted to most, such as the elbows, knees, ankles, armpits, and groin.
3. 3. Wear chigger-repellent clothing. Protective clothing that has been treated with an insecticide such as permethrin can help limit chigger and mosquito bites.
4. 4. Stick to the paths. When hiking and biking through potentially infested areas, stick to the paths and avoid walking through dense vegetation.

Though some guides suggest smothering chigger bites with nail polish, this is not an effective method for treating chigger bites. Once you see the welts on your skin, the mites are likely no longer present, so attempting to smother them is useless. Instead, consider these simple tactics and home remedies.

1. 1. Wash the bitten area with hot, soapy water. As soon as you discover chigger bites, thoroughly wash the affected area with hot, soapy water. Taking a hot shower will kill any remaining larvae that may still be present on the skin.
2. 2. Treat affected areas with an over-the-counter ointment. Antihistamine ointments such as calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream can help provide relief to itchy blisters left behind by chigger bites.
3. 3. Apply a cold compress. If washing up and ointments are not providing the relief you're looking for, applying a cold compress to the affected area can help soothe the skin. Chigger bites will usually heal on their own after a few days. Consult your doctor if welts persist for longer than five days.

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