Chigger bugs how to control them?

[sand and sun]

Hi,

When I pickup a wooden piece off the groud, I noticed tiny bright red bugs, about the size of pencil dot. It was clearly visible on the darkened wood. They left a red dye mark when squashed. Also I saw some of them on the cement blocks that used as an edger around a pine tree. I had a bite at my forearm, it was itchy firsh but I applied Cortizone-10 cream and no problem after, could it be from a mosquito also not sure. Could this be Chigger? Iam in Northeast CT (zone 6) and not sure Chigger is a problem in this area?

Appreciate any help.

TIA

Sam.

[William Wagner]

Aside from being bitten by those ...... obscenity here.

A couple years back while clearing weeds etc. in our yard. I felt like something hit my right leg. Looking down a mass of something about the size of a US quarter was on my leg. Then it dissolved or should I say spread about. The critters were real small and fast and I headed for the hose to wash them off. This with a real sense of urgency.

I felt like under attack and followed the above with a very hot shower. I've had them before as individuals but a random attack is hard to detect.

Death to Chigger's and Tick!!!!!

Bill who may get some Guinea Hens and Quail to eat the .......obscenity here.

[told2b]

[sand and sun]

I was searching the web but there dont seem to be any product out there to kill this Chiggers.

Just spraying with water will kill them?

TIA

Sam.

[sand and sun]

I was searching the web but there dont seem to be any product out there to kill this Chiggers.

Just spraying with water will kill them?

TIA

Sam.

[AndyS]

I learned this from an RV newsgroup about 10 years ago and , having tried it, it seems to work well..

I apply DAWN liquid detergent as a lotion. I've never gotten small critter bites when I have done this.

Also, when I have forgotten, and gone inside, and my legs start to itch, I THEN apply DAWN as above. In about 10 minutes, the itching stops and nothing else bad happens....

Many people swear by giving their dog or cat a bath using DAWN and that it kills/removes ticks and flees. Others swear that using ordinary soap products will hurt the pet.... I've been using it on a Siberian Husky for 5 years with good results.... It lathers well, and the soap/water apparently suffocates the flees.... I am not sure.... but it works, and Sam is very healthy, tho also very lazy.....

Give it a shot. I am not sure about other soap detergents. I have used them, but DAWN is the one that people on the newsgroups write about for this insect repelling/killing property......

Andy in Eureka, Texas --- living in the woods.

[William Wagner]

Physical removal only. You will not normally see a chigger. Some folks used to purchase small bracelet like devices that were worn around the ankle primarily for tick deterrence. I have used them for chiggers but may be fooling myself. I personally restrict my gardening activity to the edges especially in August.

Bill

[Mindful]

We use DeepWoods Off before going out where we think mosquitoes chiggers and ticks may be. It works!

[Phisherman]

It could be a chigger bite. It will itch like crazy for days, even weeks, after the chigger is dead. You can apply a thick layer of "fat back" (or bacon grease) to the bite and the chigger will die after several hours. Chiggers have a very slow metabolism so it takes awhile for them to suffocate. You can Google "chigger" to read about the lifecycle.

[William Wagner]

No way. Chigger was there and gone NO THING to kill. Pain and itch is your body trying to respond. If you want to put finger nail polish or some other nasty stuff on it have fun. BUT the bastard is long gone.

Hard to believe.

Bill

[Lar]

In article , [e-mail] says... :) Hi, :) :) When I pickup a wooden piece off the groud, I noticed tiny bright red :) bugs, about the size of pencil dot. It was clearly visible on the :) darkened wood. They left a red dye mark when squashed. Also I saw some :) of them on the cement blocks that used as an edger around a pine tree. :) I had a bite at my forearm, it was itchy firsh but I applied :) Cortizone-10 cream and no problem after, could it be from a mosquito :) also not sure. Could this be Chigger? Iam in Northeast CT (zone 6) and :) not sure Chigger is a problem in this area? :) :) Appreciate any help. :) :) TIA :) :) Sam. :) :) More than likely you were seeing clover mites, they are harmless and I have been seeing a lot of chatter over the net the last few weeks in your neck of the wood about them being active. Chigger bites usually take a day or two after exposure to show up.

[Jackie]

[Jackie]

[Jackie]

[Jackie]

I agree with another post that your pests are probably not chiggers. You could try Diatomaceous Earth, sometimes abbreviated DE. Its a natural, safe, non-toxic product to use and is effective on a number of insects. Especially effective on fleas, ticks and ants. It comes as a fine dust so you should use a mask. To use as a spray add liquid soap to water. You can purchase DE at hardware stores, feed stores and garden centers. Jackie

[sand and sun]

I wish its not a chigger mite. And for a peace of mind, I like to get it identified if possible. I am still googling to find a nice pic or Clover and Chigger side by side or with a scale or any distinguish feature that help to id, other than the bite :). My only concern is how to control it, if it really a Chigger. Also I like to leave my house bunny Oreo, in the backyard for running. So I wont do that till I know its not Chigger. TIA. Sam.

[Lar]

In article , [e-mail] says... :) feature that help to id, other than the bite :). My only concern is how :) to control it, if it really a Chigger. Also I like to leave my house :) bunny Oreo, in the backyard for running. So I wont do that till I know :) its not Chigger. :) :) If I find a good comparison I'll post it, but the size of a chigger is usually stated as 1/150 of an inch where a clover mite is said to be

1/64 to 1/32 of an inch. Clover mites can be seen easy enough with the naked eye where chiggers are always described as near microscopic and needing to have several cluster together before you can see them. The chigger is the larval stage of the Harvest Mite which will be found usually in dry, unkept areas so if your yard is typical type of yard where you mow when needed and water on occasion, that is usually what is needed to be done to keep chiggers away.

[Dwayne]

I used to Live in Arkansas. We bought what the residents referred to as crystals. They came in a 10 to 20 lb bag, you put them in a spreader, and spred them around your yard where you didnt want chiggers and ticks to be. One application usually lasted for 3 to 4 months. We bought this item in Wal Mart for about $7.00 a bag, and it was well worth it. It kept away fleas also.

Putting down a layer of cedar chips also worked to get rid of these pests in the dogs pen. Apparently they dont like the smell.

DE might work, but it is gone after a rain or after you water your yard. It is a lot more expensive also. Dwayne