Trombiculidae is a family of mites called trombiculid mites (some common names are known as harvest mites, red bugs, and chiggers). These bugs are relatives of ticks are practically microscopic and have a reddish color. The term chigger is also used to refer to the Chigoe flea. Red bugs live in wooded and grassy areas and can also be found in damp areas along lakes and streams. They also like pine straw. Chiggers are most prevalent in early summer. In their larval stage they attach to various animals, including humans, and feed on skin, which causes tiny red bumps and itching. Urban legends have it that they burrow into our skin and that they can best be exterminated by suffocation with nail polish, bleach, alcohol, and other liquids. UNFORTUNATELY, all these methods are just plain wrong.
The life cycle of these mites are eggs, larva, nymph, and adult, which is similar to ticks. The mite larva feed on the skin cells of animals and humans. After crawling onto their target, they inject digestive enzymes into the skin that break down skin cells. They do not bite, but instead form a hole in the skin called a stylostome. The stylostome is a funnel or channel-like structure formed by the mite. They chew up tiny parts of the inner skin, which causes the irritation, itching, red bumps, and swelling. With humans, the itching usually occurs after the larvae detach from the skin.
After feeding, the larvae go back to the ground and become nymphs, then mature into adults which have 8 legs and are harmless to humans. In the post larval stage, they are not parasitic and feed on plant materials. Red bugs are found throughout the world. In the U.S. they tend to be more common in hot and humid places such as North Carolina and Virginia. However, chiggers usually do not carry diseases in the United States. DEET has been found to be effective in deterring chiggers. Also, as with ticks, wearing tight clothing is a good preventative method. Once the red bumps have appeared on your skin, the chigger is usually already long gone. Because the chigger is no longer present there is very little you can do to "cure" the problem. Anti-itch medication such as calamine lotion and benadryl can help eliminate the irritation.
Because the bugs are microscopic and exposure is often incidental and very hard to notice, it is often too late to treat. The most effective way of preventing the chiggers from completing their job is actually by washing the exposed areas with warm water and soap. But, this must be done immediately after the potential exposure.
