If you’re like most people, you probably don’t give much thought to chiggers. But if you’re unlucky enough to get them, they can be a real nuisance. Here’s how to get rid of chiggers in bed so you can get some rest.
Chiggers Life Cycyle
Chiggers lay one to five eggs a day after being laid in damp soil, leaf litter, or overgrown weeds near running water.
1. Egg Hatch
After five to seven days, the mites hatch. They crawl around to obtain a place that is as near to the ground as possible, like a blade of grass or a leaf.
2. Looking for host
Chiggers are attracted by the carbon dioxide exhaled by a host. Once on a host, chiggers begin to crawl around on it before settling in.
On animals, chiggers have a tendency to attach themselves to areas in fur-free areas. On humans, chiggers accumulate in areas where garments are tight, such as a belt at the waist or socks around the ankle.
After piercing skin with sharp nose hairs, chiggers release a skin-damaging saliva. The larvae eat the resulting liquefied substance. Contrary to popular opinion, chiggers don’t go under the skin and eat blood.
3. Larva
The larva generally remains attached for two to three days, but it may linger longer. When it feeds, it can burrow into the ground and bury itself. The larval form is fairly small, only 1.28 inches long, and has six legs.
4. Nymph
The insect molts into a nymph after seven days to ten days. Nymphs are not a threat to humans. Rather, they eat eggs and young of other small aerial insects.
After one to two months, little creatures gradually change into a grown-up animal with 8 legs but is also larger. The life cycle of the chigger can take forty to seventy-five days, but at times can take up to ten months, depending on the weather.
How to Get Rid of Chiggers in Bed
Chiggers are tiny, red mites that can cause a great deal of discomfort if they get into your bed just like bed bugs. These pests are most commonly found in areas with high grass and weeds, and they can easily hitch a ride into your home on your clothing or shoes.
Once inside, chiggers will quickly spread to any soft furnishings in your home, including your bed. If you suspect you have chiggers in your bed, taking quick action to remove them is essential to preventing bites and further infestation. You don’t want to ruin your 5-star hotel bed experience just because of this tiny little creature!
Identify the source
The first step in getting rid of chiggers is to identify where they are coming from and seal off any entry points they may be using to get into your home. Chiggers can squeeze through very small cracks and crevices, so be sure to check all potential entry points carefully.
Once you have sealed off their access, you can begin the process of removing chiggers from your bed.
Clean up!
The best way to remove chiggers from your bed is to launder all of your bedding in hot water. Be sure to wash not only your sheets and blankets, but also any pillowcases or mattress covers. Any items that cannot be washed should be dry-cleaned or put in the freezer for at least 48 hours to kill the chiggers.
Vacuum
Once you have removed all of the chiggers from your bedding, you need to take steps to prevent them from returning. Regularly vacuuming and dusting your bedroom will help to keep chiggers away, as will using a dust mite cover on your mattress and pillows.
Disinfect surfaces
After cleaning with hot laundry water and deep vacuum cleanninng, final thing to make sure no more chiggers left on yout bed is using didinfecrtan. You can disinfect the surface of your furniture with cleaning wipes or all-purpose spray
How to Treat Chigger Bites
Here are some remedies on how you can treat the chiggers bites:
1. Wash the bitten area with hot, soapy water.
When you have chigger bites, thoroughly wash the affected area using hot water. Taking a hot shower will thoroughly remove all remaining chigger larvae that may be on your skin.
2. Use over-the-counter ointment.
Calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream can help provide relief to itchy blisters left behind by chigger bites.
3. Cold compress.
If a remedy for itching isn’t working, applying a cold compress to the affected area could be helpful. I recommend that you consult your physician if the welts persist for longer than five days.
How to Prevent Chigger Bites
Pesticides should only be used as a last resort to get rid of chiggers. The best way to avoid being bitten by chiggers is to prevent them from getting on you in the first place. Here are some tips:
-Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts when you are in areas where chiggers are likely to be found.
-Tuck your pants into your socks so that chiggers cannot crawl up the legs of your pants.
-Spray your clothing with an insect repellent that contains at least 30% DEET.
-Stay on well-groomed paths and avoid walking through high grass, weeds, and leaf litter.
Pictures of chigger bites
Chigger bites are small, red welts that can appear on your skin after being bitten by a chigger. These welts are usually accompanied by intense itching. Chiggers are very small insects, often no bigger than the head of a pin. They are found in areas with tall grasses and weeds, and they typically bite humans during the summer months.
If you think you’ve been bitten by a chigger, it’s important to take action quickly. Chiggers can cause a great deal of discomfort, and the sooner you get rid of them, the better.
Can chigger bites last for months?
Most people experience itching from chigger bites for only a few days, but in some cases, the bites can last for weeks or even months.
This is because the chiggers do not actually penetrate the skin but instead inject a digestive enzyme that breaks down tissues, causing irritation and inflammation. If you are struggling with bites that won’t go away, there are a few things you can do to get relief.
How long do chiggers stay in your bed?
If you have chiggers in your bed, you may be wondering how long they will stay there. Chiggers are not permanently attached to their host, so they will eventually leave on their own. However, they can often stay on their host for several days before moving on.
Do I need to wash my sheets if I have chiggers?
You may need to wash your sheets if you have chiggers, depending on the severity of your infestation. If you only have a few chiggers, you may be able to get rid of them by vacuuming your bed and using a lint brush to remove any remaining chiggers.
If you have a more severe infestation, you may need to wash your sheets in hot water (at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit) to kill the chiggers. You should also wash any other clothing or bedding that may have been exposed to chiggers.
Do chiggers lay eggs in your skin?
No. Chiggers do not lay their eggs in your skin. In fact, they don’t even have eggs. The larvae (youngest stage) hatch from the egg and immediately begin looking for a host. Once they find one, they insert their mouthparts and begin to feast.
What smell do chiggers hate?
There are a few things that chiggers hate. Chiggers are very attracted to the smell of carbon dioxide, so things like Listerine strips can help keep them away. Chiggers also dislike the smells of citrus and mint, so using products with these scents can also help.
What attracts chiggers to humans?
Chiggers are attracted by the carbon dioxide exhaled by a host.
