Do Chiggers Bite? Are They Dangerous?
Short answer: the chigger can bite or sting, usually with mild, local effects. Chigger bites itch for days, but in the US chiggers don't transmit disease.
Risk rating: Can bite or sting
Chigger bites itch for days, but in the US chiggers don't transmit disease.
Are chiggers dangerous to humans?
Chigger bites itch for days, but in the US chiggers don't transmit disease.
On our four-level scale, the chigger is rated can bite or sting, meaning it can bite or sting, usually with mild, local effects. Chiggers can bite, so it is worth handling them with care.
Are they dangerous to pets?
Chiggers can bite or sting curious pets that paw at them or try to eat them. Watch for swelling, drooling or limping, and call your veterinarian right away if your pet has trouble breathing or a large reaction.
Can they damage your home or garden?
Chiggers don't damage homes; the concern is bites outdoors.
What to do if you are bitten
- Wash the area with soap and water.
- Apply a cool compress to reduce swelling.
- Use an over-the-counter antihistamine or hydrocortisone cream for itching, following the label.
- Avoid scratching, which can lead to infection.
Call 911 right away if someone has trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness or a racing heartbeat after a bite or sting.
How to identify chiggers
The nearly invisible red larva of a harvest mite that attaches to skin in grassy, brushy areas. Chiggers feed on skin cells, not blood, and cause intensely itchy red bumps.
- Microscopic red or orange specks, barely visible
- Itchy bites clustered around ankles, waistband and behind the knees
- Picked up in tall grass, berry patches and woods edges
| Scientific name | Trombiculidae family |
|---|---|
| Group | Ticks, Mites & Other Arachnids |
| Size | 0.2–0.4 mm (up to about 0.02 in) |
| Colors | Red and Orange |
| Legs | 6 legs |
| Wings | No (as usually seen) |
| Where found | Lawn or grass and Woods or trails |
| Most active | Summer |
| Bites | Yes |
| Stings | No |
| Risk level | Can bite or sting |
When you'll see chiggers
Chiggers are most active in summer. Summer heat speeds up development, so populations can grow quickly.
Typical places to check: lawn or grass and woods or trails.
About ticks, mites & other arachnids
The chigger is one of the ticks, mites & other arachnids. This group includes ticks, mites, scorpions and harvestmen. Like spiders, adults have eight legs and no antennae, though larval ticks and chiggers have only six. Ticks and some mites feed on blood or skin, while scorpions hunt insects and harvestmen scavenge.
Ticks move through larva, nymph and adult stages, and each stage needs a blood meal. Nymphs are tiny and active in late spring and summer, which is when many tick-borne infections happen.
How to avoid problems with chiggers
- Tuck pants into socks and use repellent on shoes and socks
- Shower and wash clothes in hot water after outdoor activity
- Keep lawns mowed and brush cleared
Frequently asked questions
Do chiggers bite?
Yes. Chigger bites itch for days, but in the US chiggers don't transmit disease.
Do chiggers sting?
No, chiggers do not sting.
Are chiggers poisonous?
The chigger can bite or sting, usually with mild, local effects. Chigger bites itch for days, but in the US chiggers don't transmit disease.
Where do chiggers live?
Chiggers are usually found in lawns and grass and in woods and along trails, and are most active in summer.