Title: The Itch Factor - Chiggers and What You Can Do About Them Now
1The Itch Factor
- Chiggers and What You Can Do About Them Now
2Your Spring, Summer, and Fall Companion
- Spend 5 minutes in an open field during any warm
season of the year youre probably going to end
up with at least a few chigger bites under your
waistband or near your ankles. - Those red itchy welts may seem like the warm
weather nuisance that you simply have to deal
with, but this summer, you can keep chiggers out
of your lawn.
3Trombiculidae
- Scientifically called Trobiculidae, chiggers come
from the mite family. The name chigger comes
from the term chergo, and they can live almost
anywhere.
4The Myths
As with almost anything in nature, there are so
many myths around chiggers. One of the most
popular is that they actually burrow under your
skin to feed on your blood. This is not the case.
They feed on the fluids in your skin cells. They
attach themselves to a follicle, feed, then
disappear. Another fairly common myth is that
they can actually infest the way bed bugs might.
Chiggers are an outdoor insect. They cant infest
your home.
5Their Habitats
- Some insects prefer a certain climate or habitat.
- Chiggers, though, are far less picky. They love
damp areas with lot of vegetation, but theyll be
happy to live in your lawn, a golf course, or
even a public park.
6Chiggers 101
- Chiggers have a four stage life cycle egg,
larva, nymph adult. The larva feed on the skin
cells of any animals. They form a hole, chew up
parts of the inner skin, then detach. From there,
they mature into nymphs, then adults. The adults
are actually harmless to humans. They feed only
on plant materials. - Chiggers have 8 legs as adults. Females can lay
up to eight eggs at a time, and they leave them
by the root of a plant.
7Dealing with the Bites
- While most chigger bites are completely harmless,
they can become infected, so its important to
deal with them right away. - Keep it as clean as possible, and if you can,
avoid scratching it. An over-the-counter topical
anti-itch cream can be applied to help. - You may also want to take an antihistamine for
additional relief. If you think your bite has
become infected, see a medical professional
immediately.
8Eliminating CHiggers
- Think your yard is infested? Youre probably
right. A professional pest control company can
help, but there are also a number of steps you
can take. - First, be sure to cut your lawn to the shortest
recommended height. - Second, remove any weeds or debris from your
property. - Third, standing water can attract chiggers and a
whole other host of creatures, so eliminate it
wherever possible. Finally, create stone walkways
through your property to eliminate other
problems.
9Pest Control Experts
- The largest independently owned pest control
company in Brevard County, we offer cutting edge
solutions to help you deal with any of these pest
problems. Contact us for more information.