How to Get Rid of Chiggers

Chiggers are tiny red bugs that are so small you need a magnifying glass to see them. A chigger infestation leads to chigger bites, which leave red bumps and intense itching on the surface of your skin. Understanding how to get rid of chiggers is vital to prevent these harvest mites from harming your exposed skin.

Although chiggers are only 1/150th of an inch in size and very difficult to see with the naked eye, there are several home remedies to get rid of chiggers. Chiggers live in every country and consume human skin cells to survive.

You must find the best way to get rid of chiggers so you protect yourself from red welts and secondary infection. We show you several ways to prevent and treat chigger bites.

Where Chiggers Thrive

Although chiggers are found in every single part of the world, they are affected by temperature. These red bugs are most active in the afternoon and temperatures between 77 and 86℉. Chiggers cannot survive temperatures below 42℉.

These arachnids are not considered dangerous. However, the bug bites these critters leave are incredibly uncomfortable. Fortunately, we provide you many ways to treat chigger mites and implement further pest control successfully.

Knowing the ideal temperature at which a chigger thrives is vital to avoid a chigger bite, which has side effects similar to mosquito bites. There are several ways, including natural ways, to get rid of chiggers.

If you discover that you have chiggers, killing chiggers in the yard is an important step to take or you will be dealing with the problem all summer.

How to Get Rid of Chiggers with the Correct Clothing

Chiggers are even smaller than bed bugs, making them nearly impossible to see. If you are venturing into an outdoor area with tall grass, wearing the correct clothing prevents chigger bites.

Covering exposed skin is one of the natural ways to get rid of chiggers. Wearing long pants and long sleeves is a great way to protect your skin from chigger bites.

Tucking pant legs into your hiking boots or socks acts as a natural repellent to chiggers, too. A simple change in clothing choice is one straightforward way to prevent chigger bites from occurring.

The Best Way to Get Rid of Chiggers with DEET Repellent

DEET repellent is an excellent tool to prevent chiggers from biting you. This insect repellent has been used for several years because it is so effective at repelling unwanted bugs.

DEET prevents the chigger from being able to detect carbon dioxide. Without the ability to locate carbon dioxide, chiggers are unable to find your exposed skin.

Learning how to get rid of chiggers with DEET repellent is very straightforward. Spray a thin layer of insect repellent directly on your exposed skin and clothing.

We recommend not spraying the solution on the skin that you plan on covering up with clothing later on.

Additionally, note that DEET repellent is an insecticide containing several different chemicals that may cause an allergic reaction. Consult your healthcare professional to ensure you are not allergic to DEET repellent before using it.

Natural Ways to Get Rid of Chiggers with Warm Water

After outdoor activity, there are specific steps to take immediately to get rid of chiggers. Warm and hot water prevent chigger larvae from biting your skin and leaving red blisters.

It’s also vital to wash your clothes right after an outdoor activity in tall grass and warm temperatures. Washing your clothes right after kills any chiggers that may have crawled on your pant legs.

It is also essential to wash all clothing worn outdoors in a wash cycle with hot water. Hot water kills all chiggers that have crawled onto your clothing.

Washing your body with warm soapy water is one of the natural ways to get rid of chiggers. Soapy water removes all chiggers on your exposed skin and prevents chigger bites. Rinsing off with warm water is one of the effective home remedies for getting rid of chiggers.

How to Treat Chigger Bites with Calamine Lotion

If a chigger has already bitten you, you must know how to treat a chigger bite. Chigger bites leave red, itchy bumps on your skin’s surface that are very uncomfortable. Intense itching and scratching of the skin lead to blisters and possibly secondary infections.

The itching feeling is due to an allergic reaction and needs to be treated with antihistamines. Like hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion prevents the itching sensation on your skin. The lotion gives off a cooling response as the cream evaporates on your skin.

Knowing how to get rid of chiggers and their bites with the antiseptic calamine lotion is quite simple. Rub a small amount of the cream in a circular motion on the affected area to prevent further itching.

Calamine lotion is also a great way to treat blisters and minor skin irritation because it dries up oozing. Do not use this lotion on sensitive areas like armpits or the groin area, as the cream is not safe to use on certain locations on your body.

Curing Chigger Bites with Permethrin Spray

Permethrin spray is a specially designed bug spray used to prevent and kill chiggers that try to infest your skin. This spray also works on mosquitoes and ticks.

Get rid of chiggers with permethrin spray by treating your clothes one day before wearing them outdoors. Spray the front and back of your clothing with permethrin, and make sure the article is completely dry before wearing it.

This pesticide should only be sprayed on your clothes and not directly on your skin, as the ingredients may irritate. Learning how to get rid of chiggers with permethrin spray is a simple technique.

Using a Pesticide to Kill Chiggers Around the House

The best way to get rid of chiggers and little flies in bathroom and around the house is to use pesticide spray. You can also use diatomaceous earth for chiggers. A pesticide is a sure way to ensure all chigger larvae die and will get rid of red bugs in your house. The enzymes in pesticide sprays suffocate and kill chiggers found on the outside and inside your house.

Use a handheld garden sprayer to cover all affected areas. Chiggers prefer to repopulate in moist areas outside. Play areas, decks, and lawn chairs are some of the popular places chiggers like to hide.

The pesticide may not get rid of all gnats in your house. Gnats are challenging to track down, so a DIY gnat catcher is a great solution.

Natural Ways to Get Rid of Chiggers with Essential Oils

If you want to prevent chigger bites without chemicals, creating a DIY repellent is a terrific solution.

A fantastic way to prevent a chigger infestation naturally is with essential oils. The ingredients in certain essential oils repel chiggers and other insects from biting your exposed skin.

Fill your spray bottle about 80 percent full with tap water. Add 20 to 25 drops of the tea tree essential oil and the measured vegetable glycerin. Finish by filling the rest of the bottle with witch hazel.

Shake the bottle gently to better mix all the ingredients before spraying yourself. Directly placing a few drops of tea tree or eucalyptus oil on your clothes is one of the natural ways to get rid of chiggers that works better than using the old technique of nail polish remover. You may find that it can be used to repel flies outside, as well.

Mixing tea tree or another essential oil with neem oil and water can also be an effective DIY spider mite spray for houseplants and those in your garden.

The very best way of getting rid of chiggers in the yard or yourself depends on your preference between using all-natural products or products that contain chemicals.

Opt for a natural spray for your vegetable garden and for protecting yourself before going outdoors and you won’t have to worry about unpleasant side effects.

Each chigger-removal method effectively prevents these tiny red bugs from biting your exposed skin. Chigger bites are very annoying and leave raised red bumps on your skin that are quite itchy.

If you learned how to easily get rid of chiggers, share these tips and natural ways to prevent chigger bites with your friends on Pinterest and Facebook.