How to get rid of Chiggers

chiggers

Chiggers are minuscule red bugs (arachnids) known as harvest mites. They are so tiny they cannot be seen without the use of a microscope. They are parasitic and therefore feed on the blood of animals and yes, humans too. They live in wooded areas, forests and areas with a lot of grass. Young Chiggers (known as larvae) are born in these areas and will attach themselves onto people or animals who wonder into these areas. The larvae will then dissolve the skin cells of the host they are attached to and feed on them. They are fond of attaching themselves to the waist and armpits. Chiggers on the skin are problematic because they bite and cause extremely itchy raised welts on the skin. These lesions can take up to two week to go away. Getting rid of chiggers in your yard or on the body is the only way to protect yourself, your children and your pets from their itchy and sometimes painful bites.

Required Tools and Materials

• Protective Clothing
• Good Hygiene
• Bug Repellents
• Hair dryer

Instructions

Wear Protective

Wear Protective clothing when going into areas with chiggers. When entering wooded areas or areas with tall grass that is likely to have chiggers, it is important to wear close fitting clothing that covers a lot of skin. Tuck pants into socks and wear shoes that do not have cutouts for airflow

Insect repellents

Be sure to cover all exposed skin with insect repellents when moving through areas with chiggers. Clothing and shoes can be covered with sulfur powder or DEETs.

Hygiene

1. Remove clothing immediately after returning from chigger infested areas. These should be kept away from other items of clothing until they can be laundered in hot water.
2. Take bath if possible. Soaking in a warm bath for 10 minutes will remove insects from the skin. If a bath if not possible take a shower immediately. Wash for at least 15 minutes to remove the chiggers larvae.
3. Use a hair dryer to remove chiggers on the skin. With the dryer on the highest setting you can tolerate without burning the skin, point the dryer on the affected area for at least 2 minutes. The itching and redness will subside once the chiggers are removed.

Eliminate chiggers breeding grounds

Chiggers thrive in moist areas in homes and yards that provide a lot of shade. To get rid of chiggers in these areas:

1. Wash foliage with soapy water at least once per week for four to six weeks
2. Trim tall grass in yards
3. Use insecticidal soap that is safe for plants to clean houseplants that are infested with chiggers.

Treating chigger bites

1. Apply a paste of baking soda and water to the affected are after a shower or bath. This will get rid of any lingering chiggers and soothe itchiness at the same time.
2. Aspirin tablets can be dissolved and rubbed onto the areas as well.

Tips and warnings

• Insecticides are effective at eliminating chiggers in the yard but are harmful to children and pets.

Ron is a free lancer content builder for many health related sites and magazines.  He writes many article on skin disease, Pleuritis, chiggers, lingering chiggers etc.

Post tags

About J.D.

» J.D. has written 108 articles. To read more articles by this writer subscribe to their author feed or subscribe to the Publishers Vault feed.

You Might Like

• 

  Online Pharmacies: How to Choose Them and Who Should Use Them

  The following is a guest post written by Leland Webb on behalf of Apexrx, a website that offers FDA-approved prescription medications online. Since the dawn of the Information Age, online… Read more »

• 

  6 Ways to Fight Allergies

  6 Ways to Fight Allergies This Season Runny nose, itchy eyes, a snoring spouse. Every year your body reacts to nature’s springtime changes and often it can turn your world… Read more »

• 

  Healthy Snacks for a Healthy Life

  Nutrition is a general term that refers to the process by which animals and plants take in and utilize essential elements found in food. Sadly, much of the food consumed… Read more »