How to Identify and Treat Chigger Problems in Charlotte

August 21, 2017 Kristin Dodd

Have you ever wondered what those tiny little red insects are that quickly scurry across outdoor walkways and walls? Wonder no more – they’re chiggers! And these little insects can be quite a nuisance, especially during the summer in Charlotte. But they don’t have to be. Learn how to identify and treat chigger pest infestations below.

Information About Chiggers in Charlotte

Characteristics of Chiggers

Averaging 1/150th of an inch long, chigger mites are barely visible to the unaided human eye. Yet chigger bites are easily visible, and that’s something that takes explaining. Adult chiggers have eight legs. The larval (juvenile) chigger, sometimes called “red bug,” has only six legs. Note: while feeding, chiggers inject digestive enzymes that cause the skin of the host to decompose.

Symptoms of chigger bites include:

• Itching
• Bumps that have the appearance of blisters, hives, pimples or welts
• A focus in areas where clothing fits tightly or in the skin-folds of the host
• Grouped bites that linger for two to seven days
• Occasional skin infection as a side effect caused by excessive scratching by the host

On the great side: chiggers do not spread sickness and disease. Nor do they burrow deep and remain inside your body until forcibly removed by scratching. Furthermore, chiggers do not lay their eggs in the bites on your skin.

Where You’re Most Likely to Find Chiggers

During the spring and the fall, places where the grass meets the trees are young chigger-rich land. So, whenever you go on walks in fields or on grass paths, be sure to dress accordingly. You can also spot chiggers (those little red dots) commonly scurrying across pavement as well as brick walls and paths.

Chigger Bite Remedies at Home

Best response to chigger bites: an immediate hot, soapy shower. Other suggested home remedies include:

• Paste made with baking soda and water
• Bathing in cornstarch or Epsom salt water
• Mixture of olive oil and a dash of tea tree oil
• Ice for an immediate temporary relief of the itching

How to Avoid Chigger Bites

One of the best ways to avoid chigger bites is simple: when entering thick vegetation, the woods, or anywhere near blackberries, avoid clothing that exposes easy to reach skin. As a secondary defense, apply mosquito repellent to exposed body parts.

Eliminating Charlotte Chigger Infestations Near Your Home

Perhaps you have identified an area near your home that is infested with chiggers. Typically the same treatments that work on ants, fleas / ticks, roaches and spiders will also work to eliminate chigger infestations.

Many people don’t like to mess with pest control, even when using organic pest management solutions. Effective pest reduction must be performed carefully, fully and with precision. You want to keep your family safe, eliminate pests and have no chance of any near-future reoccurrence of the problem.

For safer, greener and more effective pest control, contact Carolina Pest Management. We also offer humane wildlife removal and Charlotte home moisture control. Our focus is on providing the best, most natural pest management and we choose to only use chemical applications when absolutely necessary.