You never know what you’ll encounter when you step outside. From small mammals and birds to reptiles and beyond, mother nature has some critters to look out for. One type of insect that should be on your radar is chiggers. These pesky little bugs can creep up on you when you least expect it, bite the skin and leave you with some not-so-pleasant symptoms.
If you haven’t heard of chiggers, then now is a good time to learn. They’re a pretty common insect and unique in the way they latch onto humans. Here’s everything you need to know about chiggers and how you can avoid getting bitten.
What Exactly Are Chiggers?
Located in tall weeds, grass, berry patches, and wooded areas, chiggers are a type of larvae that will bite you if given the opportunity. They are sometimes called red bugs and are so small that you might not even see them when you’re out and about.
According to Healthline, chiggers are most active when temperatures are warm. This means they tend to thrive in the spring, summer, and fall afternoons. They eventually become inactive once the weather falls below 60-degrees Fahrenheit (16-degrees Celsius) and then they completely vanish at temperatures below 42-degrees Fahrenheit (6-degrees Celsius).