What Are Chiggers?

Chiggers are tiny pests who, if given the opportunity, will use people as a food source. A chigger is the larval stage of a trombiculid mite. 

Chiggers are problematic because they feed on the skin cells of people and animals. They use their sharp claws to create an opening in the skin cell where they inject saliva to dissolve the skin cell so they can consume the liquid.

A type of arachnid, trombiculid mites are closely related to ticks and spiders. Adults have eight legs, but when they are in their larval stage (chiggers), they only have six legs. Like other arachnids, chiggers lack wings and antennae. 

Chigger Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are chiggers dangerous?

Adult trombiculid mites feed on plants and cause no problem for people. But, the larval stage (chiggers) does pose problems for people. After chiggers bite, they typically leave behind a raised, red, itchy rash. Itching develops around the bite sites in one to three hours. Itching from the bites may last for a week or more. Prolonged itching may lead to secondary infections, especially in young children.  However, these pests are not known to transmit diseases to people.

Why do I have a chigger problem?

The humid, hot weather found in Dallas throughout much of the year provides the perfect environment for chiggers to establish populations. If your yard offers chiggers humidity and vegetation they need to thrive, these pests could become a problem in your yard. 

Where will I find chiggers?

Chiggers are most active from spring until cooler weather hits during the winter season. In the spring, female chiggers lay their eggs in shady grassy areas such as lawns, parks, fields, and wooded areas.

After the eggs hatch, the larvae crawl onto pieces of grass, weeds, and other vegetation. When a person or animal brushes against them, they crawl up onto the host moving to an area that provides them with access to the skin. 

On people, chiggers usually move to skin found under pieces of clothing like the waistline, knees, or ankles.

How do I get rid of chiggers?

If chiggers are a problem on your property, it is important to contact a pest control professional. At All-Safe Pest & Termite, we provide the services needed to get rid of chiggers from your yard and protect you from their itchy bites. 
 
To eliminate chiggers from Dallas properties, our experienced professionals provide top-quality pest control services using the latest and most effective products. Discover why your neighbors choose All-Safe Pest & Termite for their pest control needs. Reach out to us today!

How can I prevent chiggers in the future?

Prevent problems with chiggers by partnering with All-Safe Pest & Termite and by implementing the following prevention tips:

• Keep the grass in your yard cut short, and cut back wooded areas from the edge of your property.
• Cut weeds and other vegetation back from walkways, decks, and porches.
• Don’t overwater gardens and lawns.
• Avoid walking through tall, damp grass whenever possible.