Chigger Mites in Central Arkansas
Chigger mites, also known as redbugs, infest animals and people during the summer months. They are mostly found in the midwest, south, and southeast of the United States and cause intense irritation and itching. They are most active beginning in early spring and through the first frost in autumn. Chigger larvae are the main frustration as they attach to the surface of skin or at the rim of a hair follicle.
Chigger Mite Habitat
Chigger mites prefer grassy, damp, and wooded areas, ideally at the edge of a forest. They can also be found near streams, lakes, or lawns. Adult chigger mites can be identified as a large, brilliantly red-colored mite that is crawling on pavement and lawns. Adult chigger mites will spend the winter underground and then lay eggs when spring begins to warm the ground. When these adults pass, the eggs will hatch into new chigger mites that emerge from the ground and make contact with new hosts.
Chigger Mite Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
Chigger mites usually hide in thick grass, brush, grass, grassy fields, gardens and parks, and in moist areas around lakes or rivers. These areas happen to be popular places for humans to camp, hike, and recreate. Once chigger mites come into contact with flesh, they will settle down and begin to feed. Chigger mites usually attack around the ankles or below the knees, while some will go up higher to attack the crotch and armpit areas. Once bitten, the body will react to the digestive enzymes that chigger mites use to liquefy skin cells, causing a rash and intense itching that begins a few hours after they have fed.
If you are dealing with chigger mites, it’s important to always enlist the help of a professional tick & mite control expert.
