Chiggers are one of the most annoying, itchy and painful critters that I have ever encountered in nature. Some people say they were invented by the Devil himself; I believe it!
Tiny, almost invisible, chiggers are more than annoying. The six-legged tiny chigger larvae attack prospectors, picnickers, hikers, fishermen and hunters. They are normally encountered in low damp areas, but often inhabit higher ground.
Spring, summer and fall are chigger season, so if you spend time in the outdoors you are most likely familiar with chiggers. They are almost impossible to see and one does not feel the bite so you do know that they are on your skin until the nasty red bumps appear. The bumps do not appear for several hours, often as long as twenty four hours after exposure.
Once on your skin they seek out folds in the skin or places where the skin is thin, like wrists and ankles. They will also stop traveling when they reach a clothing barrier, so often the horribly itchy bumps show up around your collar or cuffs. They really do not bite, rather they attach themselves to the skin and then inject saliva that contains a digestive enzyme that breaks down the skin cells which the chigger drinks. Yuck!
The best way to deal with chiggers is to avoid them if possible by wearing long sleeved clothing, long pants and socks and boots. They will live on the skin for several days, but will wash off, so it's a good idea to take a soapy shower after spending time in the woods or tall grass or weeds. Bug spray helps some but is not always effective in repelling chiggers, so be aware.
Unlike ticks, chiggers do not carry disease, however, the horrible itching reaction causes one to scratch the skin and the sores created can become infected.
Facts On Chiggers
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