The Good News About Chiggers?

By Vickie Foster, Volunteer

Have you ever wondered what possible use there could be to some of nature's pests? Mosquitoes, poison ivy, sweet gum balls or chiggers come to mind. Man-made nuisances like taxes, traffic jams, grocery lines before snow storms at least have an explanation, maybe even a purpose. But chiggers?


Believe it or not chiggers do actually provide a benefit in the natural food chain. Anyone who has endured "chigger-itch" may not agree with the trade off but they can benefit humans too.


The chiggers that torment humans are the larval stage of harvest mites. After they finish torturing us with endless itching the mites move into the soil to live. Adults eat other insects and their eggs. The benefit to humans comes in from the fact that they eat the eggs of other pests like mosquitoes. So in a way chiggers relieve another itch.


More good news - chigger annoyance is a least avoidable. First of all there is a way to test if chiggers are present in your yard. The dastardly and diminutive creatures dash about in a frenzy to find a host. They move toward and onto anything new that's put into their area. Insert a black piece of cardboard or a white saucer vertically on the ground. They will swarm over the item and gather on the upper edges viewable with a magnifying glass. You know to avoid that spot for now! A well groomed lawn seldom has chiggers. Keeping it free from weeds and low-trimmed grass will help.


Chiggers are most active when temperatures are between 77 and 86 degrees. They avoid any object that is 99 degrees or above. Sitting on a sun baked rock while hiking is a chigger-safe choice. Also, when hiking a frequent rubbing with a towel or cloth will remove them before they do the most damage.


It may come as a small consolation to know that chiggers are so easily brushed off, they seldom finish a meal. Once brushed off mid-meal they can't bite again and they die.


Mosquito repellent sprayed around cuffs, ankles, waistbands and any entry to clothing deter chiggers, but it only lasts two to three hours. Powdered sulphur is the most effective defense. It's a case, however, where the solution may be as bad as the problem. Sulphur powder stinks! It is potent to chiggers though and available at most pharmacies under the name sublimed sulphur or flowers of sulphur. A quick web search shows it is available for as little as $1.86. Dusted around pants openings, socks and boots you'll be chigger-free, but a temptation to Pepe Le Pew.


Remember our animal friends here at the Wildlife Rescue Center. Our guest population today is at 269. While chiggers may be eating you, our animal guests are hungry too and welcome your donations.