Chigger Mites in Salina
Chigger mites or redbugs can be the bane of existence for people and animals during the summer months in Salina for the intense itching and irritation they give. Most active from early spring to early autumn, it’s at the larval stage that chigger mites do all of the biting. Adult chigger mites do not. Contrary to common belief, they do not burrow into the skin; rather they attach on the surface of the skin or at the rim of a hair follicle.
Chigger Mite Habitat
Chigger mites prefer damp, grassy, and wooded areas, especially at the edges of forests. They can be found near lakes and streams, and even on your lawn. Adult chiggers may often be seen as large brilliantly red-colored mites crawling over lawns and pavements. They spend winter underground and deposit eggs during the first warm days of spring. The adults soon die and eggs hatch into chigger larvae, which crawl about and eventually make contact with people or other hosts.
Chigger Mite Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
Chigger mites hide in thick brush, grass, parks and gardens, grassy fields, and in moist areas around rivers or lakes. All of these areas are popular with humans for recreation, hiking, and camping. After coming into contact with flesh, they will settle down and begin to feed. Most chiggers will attack around the ankles or under the knees, although some go higher up to attack the crotch and armpit areas. Once bitten, the body will react to the digestive enzymes that chiggers use to liquefy skin cells, causing a rash and intense itching that begins a few hours after they have fed.
If you are dealing with chigger mites, it’s important to always enlist the help of a professional tick & mite control expert.
