Facts: Chigger
Name: Trombiculidae
Appearance: Almost microscopic in size, chigger mites average 0.4mm in length and are reddish-orange in color. They are a relative of ticks.
Habit: Chigger mites thrive in areas with dense grass and vegetation. They are commonly found in woods, orchards, near lakes and streams, and anywhere there is abundant plant life and moisture. They are often seen during the late spring/early summer months when grasses and vegetation are at their peak. They have also been spotted in low grasses on golf courses, in parks, and on sports fields.
Health/Damage Concerns: The larval and nymph stages of this pest feed on skin cells, causing severe irritation for animals and humans when affected. Consult a trusted and knowledgeable physician if you are experiencing skin irritations similar to that caused by mites or fleas.
Diet: Adults feed on plant materials; larvae are parasitic and feed on the skin cells of humans and animals alike. After finding a host, the larvae will create a hole in the skin and inject a digestive enzyme that breaks down the tissue and enables them to feed on the broken down skin cells. This often causes severe irritation, swelling, itching around the affected area, and red, pimple-like rashes to form. Most irritation does not begin until 24 hours after the larvae has completed feeding making it difficult to diagnose where the irritation came from.
Reproduction: Like ticks, chigger mites go through a four-stage lifecycle; egg, larvae, nymph, and adult. Females will lay four to eight eggs in a protected area at a time, laying up to 15 eggs a day. Larvae will emerge after 6 days, and travel up high grasses and plants in search of a host. Once a suitable host is found, the larvae will feed for several days before dropping off of the host and beginning the transformation into the nymph stage. Females will continue to lay eggs until the temperature begins to drop, with most perishing by the early fall. These pests can breed and survive all year if in a favorable environment like in warmer climates or inside the home.
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