One of the least favorite pests in Indiana is the Chigger. Once you have experienced them and the resulting infamous itching, you won’t forget them!

A Chigger is the larval stage of an external parasite that overwinters in the soil. As it develops, it becomes a ferocious enemy to those who come into their territory. The adult stage of this mite does not bite at all, but during the larval stage the chigger attaches to its victim, but not to drink blood as some believe. The chigger actually uses an enzyme in its saliva to liquify skin cells to drink them up for nourishment. The enzyme causes the itch not the chigger! After biting and sucking up the skin cells, the chigger then falls off the body. As the chigger develops into adulthood as a harvest mite, it loses the piercing mouthpart (somewhat like a tick’s) and grows 2 more legs totaling 8 legs.

This enzyme causes an allergic reaction to the bite within 1 to 24 hours after being bitten. By that time the chigger is long gone and does not live on the body. 

  • Areas most attacked are the areas where the skin is softer like feet and ankles, armpits, behind the knees, groin or bra line areas. 
  • After being bitten, once symptoms appear or as soon as you are out of the chigger’s environment, a good shower asap may help lessen the effects of the enzyme causing the ferocious itch. 
  • It is untrue that chiggers bury their heads into the skin; therefore, there is no need to put fingernail polish or other things on the infected areas of the body to suffocate the chigger.
  • Putting insect bite medicine on the area may help with the residual itching.
  • Antihistamines, hydrocortisone or oatmeal baths may also help relieve the itch that may otherwise last up to two weeks. Calling your physician or pharmacist can also be beneficial.

Chiggers are found in overgrown areas, flower beds, areas with leaf litter, weeds and just basically unkept areas of nature. Some valuable tips to prevent chiggers from bothering you are as follows:

  1. Mowing and basic environmental modification can help reduce the population by keeping overgrowth down or removing buildup of leaf litter  
  2. Stay out of the weeds and unkept areas
  3. Use insect repellant that contains deet or oil of lemon eucalyptus
  4. Some labeled pesticide treatments can help, but treatments should be kept up for best results starting in April or May when the harvest mite emerges from the soil to breed starting the life cycle over again