Chiggers, also known as red bugs or harvest mites, are tiny mites that can cause itchy rashes and skin irritation. Getting rid of chiggers on your skin, in your home, or around your property is important to prevent discomfort and continued bites. Here are the most effective methods for removing chiggers from your skin, home, yard, and body.
Understanding Chiggers and How They Bite
Chiggers are microscopic larvae of a mite species called Trombicula. They are found in grassy, overgrown areas and can attach to humans and animals that brush up against vegetation.
Once on the body, chiggers use sharp feeding tubes to pierce the skin surface. They inject enzymes into the bite wound that break down skin cells. This allows them to feed on the liquefied tissues. The enzymes cause irritation and intense itching. Small, red welts form at the bite sites.
Chiggers fall off the body after feeding for 3-4 days. Bites continue to itch for up to two weeks afterwards. Scratching can cause the welts to become infected. The best way to treat chigger bites is to avoid scratching and apply anti-itch creams.
While they can be bothersome, chiggers do not burrow into the skin or remain on the body. Proper removal techniques can get rid of chiggers to provide immediate relief.
Removing Chiggers from Skin
If you’ve been outside in grassy areas and suspect chigger bites, you’ll want to remove any remaining mites from your skin right away. Here are the best ways to get rid of chiggers on your skin:
Take a Hot Soapy Shower
As soon as you come indoors after possible chigger exposure, take a hot soapy shower. Wash with antibacterial soap and scrub the skin surfaces where you suspect bites. This will wash away many of the mites before they attach and start feeding.
Showering can remove up to 80% of chiggers to prevent future bites and reduce skin inflammation. Be sure to check the entire body carefully, especially around the ankles, wrists, waistline, armpits and groin. These are common areas for chiggers to populate.
Apply Rubbing Alcohol
After showering, you can use rubbing alcohol to dislodge any remaining mites. This drying agent causes the chiggers to detach from the skin. Simply apply some alcohol to a cotton pad and rub it thoroughly over the bites.
Check for any dark specks stuck to the cotton, which may indicate removed chiggers. Flush those down the toilet to prevent re-infestation. Reapply the alcohol 2-3 times to ensure you have killed and removed all mites.
Apply Clear Nail Polish
Nail polish is another way to remove chiggers and stop their biting. Apply a layer of clear polish directly over any bite welts. As the polish dries, it will suffocate the mites, causing them to release their grip.
After a few minutes, you can use a tissue or adhesive tape to pick up the dead mites from the polished area. Reapply polish as needed to any remaining welts where bites persist. The polish also helps create a protective barrier to prevent scratching.
Use Duct Tape
Duct tape is incredibly sticky, so it works well to remove attached chiggers. Simply place small pieces of tape directly over bite marks. Pat down firmly. After 5-10 minutes, rip off the tape in the opposite direction of hair growth. This should effectively pull out any burrowed mites in the area.
Check the tape carefully and repeat the process until no more chiggers are visible. Duct tape helps relieve itching and removes mites without the use of chemicals. It can be a good option for children.
Apply a Chigger Treatment Cream
Topical creams containing benzyl benzoate or sulfur specifically target and kill chigger mites. Apply a thin coating over the affected areas and let it absorb into the skin. This creates a barrier and kills any remaining chiggers.
Treatment creams work best when applied immediately after possible chigger exposure, before bites begin to swell. Using them regularly can help reduce the number of bites and speed healing of existing welts. Shower after 1-2 hours and reapply if itching persists.
Preventing Chiggers in the Home
Chiggers live outdoors, but they can hitchhike indoors on clothes and shoes, then bite people and pets in the home. Here are some tips for keeping chiggers out of your house:
- Check closely for chiggers and remove them immediately after spending time outside. Take a shower and put on clean clothes.
- Avoid wearing shoes worn outdoors into the house. Leave them on the porch or patio instead.
- Wash clothing worn outside in hot, soapy water to kill any lingering mites.
- Vacuum carpets thoroughly to remove chiggers brought inside. Dispose of the vacuum bag promptly in an outdoor trash can.
- Use plush rugs near entryways that can help trap chiggers from shoes and socks. Wash throw rugs weekly.
- Apply pesticide sprays along baseboards, windows and door frames to kill any stray chiggers.Diatomaceous earth powder also helps deter them.
- Seal cracks and crevices around windows, walls and foundations where chiggers can sneak inside.
- Consider treating yards and high vegetation areas with miticides to reduce outdoor chigger populations around the home.
Eliminating Chiggers from Your Yard
To reduce chigger exposure overall, treatment measures can help get rid of mites in your outdoor spaces. Here are some effective control methods:
Cut Your Grass
Chiggers thrive in tall, uncut grass and weedy areas. Keep your lawn closely mowed to make the environment less hospitable. Grass should be kept under 3 inches high. This exposes chiggers to heat and dryness.
Remove any overgrown vegetation, brush and tall weeds around your property. Rake up and dispose of any cut clippings promptly. Mowing regularly removes the shady, moist habitat chiggers prefer.
Manage Moisture
Chiggers need a consistently moist habitat to survive. Reduce moisture sources around your home’s foundation and yards to discourage chigger populations.
- Redirect downspouts and gutters to drain water away from the house
- Fill in low spots and areas where water collects
- Thin dense vegetation that retains moisture
- Allow sunlight to penetrate shaded, wet zones
- Replace moist mulch beds with gravel walkways
Apply Miticide
Chemical miticides designed to kill mites can be applied to lawns, gardens and landscaped areas. Products containing pyrethrins, sulfur or permethrin are effective against chiggers. Always follow label directions carefully.
Most miticides do not last long outdoors. Repeated applications are needed, especially after rainy periods. Coordinate treatments with nearby homeowners to reduce reinfestation from surrounding properties.
Use Chigger-Repelling Plants
Certain plants contain oils, scents or chemicals that naturally deter chiggers. Incorporating these into your landscaping can make yards less hospitable:
- Marigolds
- Citronella
- Fleabane daisies
- Lavender
- Basil
- Mint
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Geraniums
Try interplanting these around gardens, play areas and walkways to repel chiggers. Potted versions can also be positioned near patios and entryways.
Treating and Preventing Chigger Bites
If chigger bites do occur, prompt treatment at the first sign of itching can help minimize reactions:
Apply a Cold Compress
Placing an ice pack or cold washcloth on bites helps reduce inflammation and itching. The cold temperature also helps numb nerve endings, slowing the urge to scratch. Apply for 15-20 minutes several times a day for relief.
Use Anti-itch Creams
Topical anti-itch creams, gels, sprays and antihistamines containing pramoxine, menthol, camphor or diphenhydramine help temporarily alleviate itching and irritation. Calamine lotion also eases discomfort. Apply these remedies 2-4 times daily until itching resolves.
Take an Oral Antihistamine
For severe itching and swelling, oral antihistamines like loratadine or cetirizine block the reaction and provide more widespread relief. Follow dosage guidelines and take daily until bites heal. An antihistamine at night can help resist scratching that can lead to infection.
Apply Hydrocortisone Cream
Low-dose hydrocortisone cream helps reduce inflammation and swelling around bites. Use a small dab directly on the affected areas twice daily for 5-7 days. See a doctor if itching and swelling are severe or widespread.
Avoid Scratching
As difficult as it is, scratching chigger bites can damage the skin, increasing inflammation and the risk of bacterial infection. Try not to rub, scratch or pick at the bumps. Keep nails trimmed short. For kids, put socks over hands at night to prevent scratching.
Shower After Being Outdoors
Make it a habit to take a soapy shower as soon as possible after returning inside from yardwork or activities that could expose you to chiggers. This can remove up to 80% of mites before they attach and cause misery.
Check clothing and shoes for any visible chiggers and launder clothing in hot water to prevent the spread indoors.
When to See a Doctor for Chigger Bites
In most cases, chigger bites resolve on their own within 1-2 weeks. See a doctor right away if you experience:
- Rash and itching that worsens or continues to spread
- Signs of infection like pus, swelling, redness, fever or heat
- Hives or trouble breathing which could indicate a serious allergic reaction
- Intense itching that interferes with sleep or daily activities
- No improvement within 2-3 weeks of self-treatment
For severe reactions, your doctor may prescribe topical or oral steroids to reduce inflammation and itching. Antibiotics may be needed to treat secondary infections caused by excessive scratching. Severe allergic responses may require injections, epinephrine or other intensive treatment measures.
With prompt attention using these removal, prevention and treatment tips, chigger bites and reactions can be well controlled. Be especially vigilant when spending time outdoors in chigger-prone areas. Take steps to exclude chiggers from your home, yard and body to avoid the aggravating itch and discomfort associated with these seasonal pests.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do chigger bites last?
Chigger bites usually resolve within 1-2 weeks, but can last up to 3-4 weeks. Itching and skin irritation gradually fade as the reaction lessens and fluid from the bites reabsorbs. Avoid scratching so bites heal cleanly.
What do chigger bites look like?
Chigger bites appear as red, itchy bumps or welts. They are usually 1-2 mm across, and concentrated in clusters around the ankles, waist, armpits, groin or areas where clothing fits snugly. Bites may be dotted with a small central puncture point where mites pierced the skin.
Can I get chiggers from my yard?
Chiggers live in damp, overgrown grass and vegetation. Sitting or walking through chigger-infested yards can allow them to grab onto clothing and move onto your skin. Keep lawns trimmed, dry out moist areas and use miticides to reduce chigger populations.
What home remedy stops chigger itching?
To help stop chigger itch, take cool showers, apply ice packs, use hydrocortisone cream, oral antihistamines or antiseptic creams with menthol, camphor or pramoxine. Resist scratching bites to avoid infection. Over-the-counter anti-itch products provide relief.
Do chiggers fall out of trees?
Chiggers live in low, damp vegetation, not in trees. They cannot jump or fly either. Instead, they wait on low plants until contact with passing people or animals. Then they climb on. Tree canopies are too hot and dry for chiggers to survive.
How do you keep chiggers off your body?
Avoid areas with overgrown grass and brush. Wear lightweight, protective clothing like long pants tucked into socks when outdoors. Shower promptly after exposure and wash clothes in hot, soapy water. Check for attached chiggers and remove with adhesive tape or alcohol. Apply chigger-repellent creams.
The Bottom Line
Chiggers can create irritating itchy bumps that linger for weeks. Promptly treating bites, discouraging mites in your yard, and preventing exposure when enjoying the outdoors can help provide relief and stop future infestations. Through a combination of removal methods, repellents, moisture control, and medication, you can successfully manage chiggers on your skin, in your home, and around your property.