| How to get rid of chiggers
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What are they and their identification?
Usually, the smallest of creatures can cause become the biggest nuisance. Chiggers thrive in moist, wooded areas - and once you\'ve been bitten, you know you don\'t want it to happen again. Do you know how to get rid of chiggers when they\'re around your property, or once they\'ve taken a bite out of your skin?
Chiggers or harvest mites are microscopic, reddish arachnids that usually cannot be seen with the naked eye. The larvae (babies) hatch in grass and foliage and attach themselves to anyone who gets close enough for them to climb onto. After finding a suitable host, the larvae attach itself to a pore or hair follicle and inject digestive enzymes into the hole that promptly dissolve the surrounding skin cells which are then used for nourishment by the growing chigger. Once they’ve eaten their fill they release from their hosts, grow into adults and feed on plant matter on which they lay more eggs.
Chiggers can be nasty little bugs, and their tiny size makes them hard to see. Because chiggers like to "hang out" in shady, weedy areas, keep your lawn and landscaping well-trimmed and neat. Eliminate standing water (which will draw chiggers as well as other pests) by ensuring every area of your property has proper drainage. If you want to know how to get rid of chiggers, the first step is in maintaining a neat, healthy, and dry lawn.
Ways to get rid of chiggers
1. Wash the affected area thoroughly with hot soapy water. Because the chigger is attached to the skin by biting into it, this simple method will remove it.
2. Treat the area with an antiseptic ointment to prevent infection, and an antihistamine or topical hydrocortisone cream will relieve the itching. Alternatively, Helichrysum oil stops itching within a few minutes. Its effectiveness will fade after a few hours so will need to be dabbed on again. It has the advantage of being quite healthful and helps heal bites quickly.
3. Watch the area for infection, and avoid scratching. With young children, it may be necessary to trim their fingernails closely to keep them from breaking the skin trying to relieve the itch.
4. Trim your garden well during the warm months of spring as chiggers are known to be very active at this time of year.
5. Spray insecticides particularly effective on chigger and harvest mites that are easily available online. Spray the insecticides only at the right spots instead of the entire space.
6. Use insect repellents that contain DEET (Diethyl-m-toluamide). It is easily available in the market and can be applied to your clothes. It is considered effective in keeping away chiggers.
7. Smear your body with insect repellent containing Nepetalactone, Citronella and eucalyptus oil extract. Reapply after few hours.
8. Try an alternative and the safest way. Protect you and your family by discarding clothes that attract chiggers. Thoroughly wash ankles, feet, armpits and chest. Wear tight, protective clothing to reduce vulnerability to chiggers. Long sleeved shirts, tight socks, pants tucked in boots and buttoned cuffs are recommended.
How to get rid of chiggers >
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