Houston is a beautiful city known for its favorable weather and climate. And as we approach spring, you'll want to do your due diligence to prepare for chigger season (late spring to early fall)! Whether you're an outdoorsy person or not, chiggers are found outside in almost all grassy areas. And once they attach to you, they'll not only make themselves comfortable on your body but in your home as well.
To eradicate chiggers, or if you even think you've seen signs of chiggers, a quick phone call to your local Houston pest control professionals will put your mind at ease.
How Do I Know If It's Chigger Biting Me?
Physically, not only are chiggers so small that it can be hard to tell if one is biting you (except for their bright, red-colored bodies), but these mites also resemble a cross between a bed bug and a tick. Ultimately, the only way to tell if it's a chigger biting you is by their bites.
Chigger bites are quite distinctive, leaving you with red itchy welts and a white center that's usually hard and sometimes tender to touch. They sometimes leave lesions as well. Also, note that these bites are often confused with scabies, but what differentiates the two is that scabies is contagious while chigger bites are not
How Dangerous Are Chigger Bites?
Chiggers aren't as dangerous as ticks or mosquitoes are, as those insects pass viruses and other bacteria-causing illnesses. The dangers associated with chiggers are welts or lesions, allergic reactions, itching, and bleeding from scratching. Also, excessive scratching can lead to secondary bacterial infections. Taking a shower after exposure to chiggers can help reduce the severity of the welts or lesions you receive, and anti-itch creams will aid in reducing your skin's reaction to the bites as well.
How Do I Prevent Chiggers Around My House?
With our chigger treatment, in addition to these simple preventive measures, your efforts will go a very long way in eradicating and preventing a chigger infestation.
- Regularly keep your grass cut.
- Pull or trim weeds and vegetation near your home.
- Remove excess moisture from your home (birdbaths, fountains, etc.).
- Trim overhanging branches and hedges that create shaded areas outdoors.
These are all simple ways to prevent or rid your home of a chigger infestation. Additionally, tucking your pants in your socks and showering immediately after outdoor exposure will help prevent bites and the severity of pain associated with chigger bites.
What's The Best Way To Get Rid Of A Chigger Infestation?
Ultimately, if you want to get rid of chiggers taking over your home and yard, you're going to need ongoing chigger control services to protect your Houston home. True enough, chigger season is from late spring to early fall, but chiggers are active all year long. So with preventive measures and regular chigger treatments from All-Safe Pest & Termite, your house will too be protected from chiggers all year as well.