Yes, chiggers are prevalent throughout Virginia, posing a common outdoor nuisance from spring through fall. These nearly microscopic mites are technically arachnids, like spiders and ticks. Understanding the chigger’s biology, when and where they are most active, and how to effectively manage prevention and treatment is key for minimizing discomfort. This information helps residents and visitors enjoy Virginia’s natural spaces while avoiding these pests.
Understanding the Chigger Organism
A chigger is not an insect but the parasitic larval stage of a mite belonging to the Trombiculidae family. These larvae are tiny, measuring only about 1/150 of an inch, making them difficult to see without magnification. The six-legged larva is the only stage that feeds on vertebrates, including humans.
Contrary to a common misconception, chiggers do not burrow into the skin or suck blood. Instead, the larva attaches to a hair follicle or pore and injects a salivary secretion containing digestive enzymes. These enzymes break down the host’s skin cells, liquefying the tissue around the bite. The chigger then consumes this partially digested cellular fluid for up to three days before dropping off.
The intense itching and welt that follow a chigger bite are an allergic response to these injected digestive enzymes. This reaction forms a hardened, tube-like structure in the skin called a stylostome, which the chigger uses for feeding. The resulting red bumps are a delayed inflammatory response that often appears several hours after the chigger has detached.
Where and When They Are Active in Virginia
Chiggers are widespread across Virginia, being most active when temperatures are warm, typically from late spring through early autumn. Peak activity occurs in the warm, humid climate of the Southeastern U.S., often peaking in September. Activity significantly drops off when temperatures fall below 60°F or rise above 90°F.
These mites thrive in specific outdoor environments that provide warmth and moisture. Preferred habitats include areas with tall grasses, dense weeds, and brush thickets. They are frequently encountered along the edges of wooded areas, in berry patches, and in transitional zones between mowed lawns and natural growth.
Chiggers tend to stay in low vegetation, usually less than 18 inches above the ground, where they wait for a host to brush past. They climb onto clothing and then migrate across the skin until they find a suitable feeding location. Bites often cluster in areas where clothing is tight, such as the ankles, waistline, and behind the knees.
Proactive Prevention Strategies
Preventing chigger bites involves creating a physical and chemical barrier between the skin and the environment. Wearing protective clothing is highly effective when entering areas of high vegetation. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants made of tightly woven fabric should be worn. Pant legs should be tucked securely into socks or boots to block access points.
The use of chemical repellents provides an additional layer of protection. Products containing DEET can be applied directly to exposed skin, following label instructions. For clothing, an insecticide containing permethrin is recommended, as it kills chiggers on contact. Permethrin should be applied to clothing, footwear, and gear, but never directly to the skin.
Managing the yard environment can also reduce chigger populations near the home. Regularly mowing lawns and removing weeds, brush, and tall grasses eliminates the dense vegetation where chiggers reside. After potential exposure, shower promptly and vigorously scrub the skin with warm, soapy water. This action helps to dislodge any larvae that may not have yet attached, lessening the number of subsequent bites.
Treating the Bites
Once a chigger has fed and detached, the focus of treatment shifts entirely to managing the symptoms of the allergic reaction. Chigger bites typically manifest as intensely itchy, raised red bumps that may resemble pimples, blisters, or small hives. The itching sensation can begin within a few hours of attachment and may persist for a week or more.
Effective aftercare begins by thoroughly washing the affected area with soap and water to remove any remaining mites and minimize the risk of secondary infection. To soothe the persistent itching, over-the-counter topical treatments are the first line of defense. Applying calamine lotion, hydrocortisone creams, or anti-itch products containing pramoxine can help reduce inflammation and irritation.
For more widespread or severe itching, oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, can be taken to help control the body’s allergic response. It is important to avoid scratching the welts, as breaking the skin can introduce bacteria and lead to a secondary bacterial infection. Disregard the folk remedy of applying nail polish to the bite, as chiggers do not burrow into the skin.