What are good organic treatments for chiggers and their bites?

Ah, those nasty little bugs! Chiggers are tiny mites (related to spiders and ticks) that excrete enzymes to digest the skin of the host. Common belief is that chiggers burrow under the skin. The do not. Attaching themselves to the surface of the skin, they send out a feeding tube and imbibe the digested skin. These enzymes are what is resposible for the intense itching.

The first line of defense in your yard is to keep the grass and weeds mowed. This gives them fewer places to hide and promotes air circulation and sunlight penetration. There are a few organic controls that work to some degree and I know of one that doesn't. Some have recommended the use of DE (diatomaceous earth) which are tiny diatoms from ancient seas. It is composed of silica (SiO2) and while it won't do any harm, providing silicon for plants and help improve soil structure, it won't do much to kill your bugs. I have seen DE (used as swimming pool filter media, for which it is excellent) prescribed for organic control of mites. I have tried it in the orchard and in the backyard and it just doesn't work! The theory here is that it will kill the little buggers by dessication (drying out) and it may get a few at first. But this doesn't last for any length of time. Any rain that falls or even a morning dew will wash the material into the soil and games' over. What's more some organic supply house will charge $5 for a small bag plus S+H and this stuff wholesales for more like $5 a TON.

OK, here is what does work: First, mow as directed. Apply a formulation of horticultural oil and water. If you don't know what to use ask your nursery or farm supply sote, also called 'dormant' oil. The same stuff you spray on your fruit trees in the Spring. Use the "summer" formulation, some soap (like dawn) may also be added as a 'spreader'. Spray at the reccomeded rate. Try to do this on a cloudy day or in the evening. Burning of foliage may occur, especially if it has been hot and dry. Do a small test spot if you are unsure and adjust accordingly. The oil (and/or soap) will smother the mites and severly limit numbers available for reproduction.

You can also use sulfur dust (aka flowers of sulfur). Use the recommended rate. The action here is that sulfor dioxide (SO2) is formed by oxidation in the presence of sunlight and kills the pest. The sulfur will also kill other insects, possibly the beneficials as well. Do not, and I repeat DO NOT use oil and sulfur at the same time , that is unless you want to kill everything. But, if you do that is a great way to go about it, much better than defoliants.

So what about the bites? Wear loose fitting clothing. Someone said, and I haven't tried it, that if you don't wear socks and underwear they won't have a place to hide. There may be some truth to this, because most of my bites are always just above my sock line.

Use soap and water to wash those areas when you come back inside or take a shower. This dislodges them before they get a toe-hold. And finally, use insect repellent. I say this one last because I hate that stuff, something with deet is recommended. There are people that say that a blend of essential oils work as repellent, but I haven't tried it. I like to get 'em at the source first, but if you are in the woods you can't do that. When I am at the ranch I use neat's foot on my boots or shoes and that seems to keep 'em down, but I still get bit some. One final thought, someone said that chiggers have no natural enemies expect for the possible exception of imported fire ants. I lived on a place a couple of years ago that had both. So, I don't really know about that one. Good luck, hope this helps you.

IN ADDITION:

Chiggers or red bugs in the south, can be seen in the center of the bite area. Get someone with good eyesite or a magnifying glass and a sharp pointed knife and scrape the red dot to dislodge it. If It comes off, discard it on a paper towel and wipe area with alcohol. If it has been there for more than a few hours, the skin around it will rise and envelop it making it hard to dislodge. Organic or not, Clear fingernail polish spread over its airhole will kill it in a few hours. Let the polish come off on its own, usually a day. Do not scratch the effected area or try to squeeze it like a pimple because it will make a sore that will take days to go away, and not to mention, does nothing to the chigger. If the itching gets too intense, take a benedryl tablet (antihistamine) also known as dyphenhydromine. As a kid, we had as many as 50 bites at one time and we did this to each one.

First answer by Bwtranch. Last edit by Hooweestik. Contributor trust: 505 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 29 [recommend question]