chiggers for those that hunt southern and central jersey

Chiggers
Chiggers are unique among mites affecting humans and animals in that the immature stage (the larva) is the only parasitic stage. The six-legged larva may attach itself to a variety of hosts to feed. Once engorged, it leaves the host to become a nymph and eventually an adult; both nymph and adult are eight-legged. It is likely that nymphs and adults feed on insect eggs or small, soft and inactive soil invertebrates. The common North American chiggers require 50 to 70 days to develop from egg to adult. In Minnesota there is only one generation per year.

Typical host-seeking behavior by the larva consists of congregating in a shaded area near the top of an object in close contact with the earth, such as a blade of grass or a fallen leaf. Here they are activated by an increase in carbon dioxide as a vertebrate host approaches.

People who have been outdoors in chigger-infested vegetated areas may suffer intense itching 3 to 6 hours after exposure, followed by a dermatitis (skin inflammation). A careful search of the skin after a trip through tall grass, weeds, or berry brambles will reveal minute, red mites, either moving fast or attached to the skin. The itching is usually along sock tops, behind the knee, around the waistband, or other places where clothing fits tightly, although most bites occur below the knees. The itching may persist for many days.

Chigger larvae do not burrow into the skin, nor do they feed primarily on blood. Their food usually consists of watery elements of tissue broken down by their digestive fluids; a few blood cells may be ingested. During larval feeding, the skin of the host becomes hardened, and a tube forms in which the mouthparts remain until feeding stops. It is probably the action of the digestive fluid that causes itching at the site of mouthpart attachment.

Skin Care
You may not know that you have been attacked by chiggers until welts appear and itching begins. Take a bath as soon as possible upon returning from a chigger-infested area. Apply a thick lather, rinse, and then repeat. This action kills most attached chiggers and ones not yet attached. Next, apply an antiseptic to the welts; this kills any remaining chiggers and prevents infection.

Destroying the chiggers reduces the itching but does not stop it. The fluid injected by the chiggers causes the itching, and no practical way to remove it has been found. For temporary relief of itching, apply ointments that contain benzocaine, hydrocortisone, or those used for relief of poison ivy itching.

Preventive Control
Before going into a place where chiggers may be present, protect yourself with a repellent. Look for the active ingredient DEET (N,N,-diethyl-m-toluamide). A drugstore, hardware or garden store should have this insect repellent in stock.

Apply the repellent to clothing by rubbing or spraying it on. Do not saturate the cloth with repellent. Some kinds of rayon and other synthetic fabrics may be damaged by the repellents, so use caution; nylon, cotton, and wool will not be harmed.

In treating clothing, apply repellent along the inside and outside edges of all openings, such as cuffs, neck, and waistband areas. Be sure to treat all the way around the upper edges of socks. Cotton and wool socks absorb repellent better than other materials. Apply the repellent lightly to the arms or legs if they are not covered by clothing. Read the label for specific instructions and cautions.

Chiggers can infest inanimate objects lying on the ground, such as clothes and blankets. Avoid setting such articles on the ground if you believe chiggers are present. Clothes and blankets suspected to be infested with chiggers should be washed in hot water.

Insecticides
Before applying insecticides to outdoor areas you must have an idea where the chiggers are. A simple survey is needed. The chiggers may be concentrated in a small area, making treatment easy, less expensive, and safer to pets, humans, and wildlife.

Place a piece of black cardboard edgewise on the ground and observe it for a few minutes. If chiggers are present, they will climb to the top edge and congregate there. Make this test in 8 to 12 spots over the area.

Unless the entire area is infested, treat only the parts in which control is desired, such as grass around picnic tables or lawn chairs. Diazinon is the recommended insecticide. Use it only according to label directions.