Okanagan biting insects - Chiggers have a nasty bite that causes extreme itching

Okanagan biting insects - Chiggers have a nasty "bite" that causes extreme itchingShow more

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Okanagan biting insects ExNews.net

Known as Chiggers, Red Bugs or Harvest Mites, their "bite" causes intense itching that lasts for weeks.

Chiggers are the larvae of Harvest mites. At .25mm they are almost invisible. They attach to and consume skin cells of their host.

Harvest mites are arachnids, related to ticks and spiders. Adults are small, red and have eight legs.

Chiggers are common in the Okanagan during summer months

Unlike a mosquito that feeds on blood and quickly leaves, the Chigger feeds on a hosts skin cells for several days

The itching is often mistaken for mosquito bite but the effects linger much longer.

The adult Chigger or Harvest mite lays her eggs in soil. When the larva hatch they begin looking for a host. The larva attach themselves to a host for several days, consuming skin cells.

The larva detaches and from that point forward eats other organisms living in soil until reaching full adulthood. The cycle repeats.

The most intense itching usually happens around day 2 and may last two weeks or more.

In North American Chigger larva aren't known to carry disease, and humans aren't their first choice for dinner. That said, the chigger larva isn't going to turn down a free meal

Another plus, chiggers don't survive indoors very long.

How do you avoid chiggers? Stay away from their preferred habitat

The little red arachnid likes moist grassy environments. They wait for a potential host to pass by then hitch a ride.

Clothing and deet insect repellents do a good job at discouraging these irritating hitchhikers.

A hot shower and good scrub after a walk in areas with grass and scrub bushes is one good way to rid yourself of the mite.

Washing clothes and bedding in hot water kills the Chigger