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Chiggers

© Carla Goodloe

Ever come in after a day of picking beans or walking through a meadow and find yourself itching so bad, you'd think you ran through poison ivy? Chances are, you got "red bugs" or chiggers.

Chiggers are the parasitic larvae of several species of velvet mites. Larva are near microscopic size. Adults are usually orange or red and the size of a pin head. They lay eggs in soil that hatch in about 2 weeks into orange nearly microscopic larvae with 6 legs. Velvety red nymphs emerge from the larvae, looking much like the adult stage only a tiny bit smaller.

The larva (chiggers) seek large animals to feed on, attaching themselves to skin for days unless removed. After feeding, the chiggers drop off and find a protected spot in the soil, where they lie dormant for about 2 weeks.

Adults and nymphs live in the soil, usually in undisturbed tall grass, brambles, or along the edges of woods. The chigger larvae climb up on grass and vegetation or rocks and attach themselves to anything passing by.

Adults eat eggs of other insects. Nymphs eat insect eggs and small insects. Larvae (the chiggers) have been found on every vertebrate except fish but normally feed on snakes, lizards, turtles and mammals.

Naughty as all get out. Some people have very bad reactions to chigger bites, which start out as little red dots that can become inflamed and irritated. If you scratch them, they become infected. But try NOT scratching them. Impossible!

Chiggers do not feed on your blood. They secrete enzymes into the skin then suck up dissolved tissue. The enzymes cause itching, but by the time you notice, the chiggers are long gone.

Keep vegetation mowed, they prefer tall vegetation that's usually undisturbed such as wild blackberry bushes (My Mamaw always got them when we were berry hunting and picking)and any tall grasses. They generally stay out of established and tended gardens most of the time, but can find themselves attracted to large agricultural fields. They are most active at dawn and dusk. They need shade and humidity for protection, hence the infestations in the Southern states. They retreat into the soil during the heat of the day so berry picking during the hot hours is a must. (Who wants to do that huh?)

If you must venture into chigger lands, take a long, hot shower as quickly as possible when you get back and wash them off before they attach themselves to your skin. Also wash the clothing you wore on your trip. Keep any clothing off the ground because they climb aboard. Chiggers have no effectual natural enemies, so we are stuck with them.

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