Chigger Mites
Chiggers are tiny mites that live outdoors in grassy or wooded areas near water. They thrive in warm temperatures, especially in summer, and attach to your clothes and bite your skin. Chigger bites cause itching at the site of the bite, commonly near the seams of tight-fitting clothing.
Signs of a Chigger Mite Investation
The symptoms that occur from the feeding activity of chigger mite larvae are generally the most obvious sign of an infestation. In addition, the appearance of nymphs and adults in or on the soil and vegetation also can signal the presence of chigger mites. However, chigger mites are so small that seeing any stage of this mite is difficult.
Often, a person with chigger mites will have a lot of them on their body at one time. The most common bodily locations are around the tops of socks and shoes, the waistline, the groin area, armpits, and most any bodily part where clothing fits snugly against the skin.
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Chigger mites have fairly simple needs when it comes to their habitat. They require moisture, shade, a source of food, and little else. Chigger mites attach to people, pets, and other hosts as they pass through the following areas:
• Overgrown lawns
• Woods
• Flowerbeds and gardens
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In comparison to other parasites, chigger mites are a low-level concern unless you are a hiker or are outdoors for other activities such as hunting and camping. These pests only target and feed on humans during their larval stage. Chiggers do not remain attached to their host for more than a few days, do not spread diseases, do not infest homes, and do not burrow or bite to consume a blood meal like ticks and mosquitoes.