# Are Chiggers a miserable nuisance everywhere? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 1, 2019, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346 "2019-05-01T21:47:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346/41 "2019-05-02T05:40:47Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I’ve lived in North Seattle and now in Kitsap. I see maybe one mosquito a year. I wish I had whatever sorcery you possess. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346/42 "2019-05-02T09:02:09Z")
Huh, so supposedly we do get them in the UK. I’ve seen what looks very much like the picture, and was told they were ‘harvest mites’, which is supposedly the common name for the local species, but I was never aware they bit humans, despite having been the sort of kid that would spend all day playing outside. Looks like they’re here, but not a problem. Ya learn something new every day. ---
**Author:** ![MikeS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346/43 "2019-05-02T11:50:39Z")
I grew up in Manitoba, and my father volunteered to help out with the Envirothon, an environmental-science tournament for high-school students. One year he went with the winning Manitoban team to the North American championships in Mississippi. He got a truly nasty set of chigger bites that took a good 4–6 months to fully subside. Also, several of the students discovered why poison ivy is actually called an “ivy”. In Manitoba, because of the colder climate, poison ivy is really only a ground cover. So the students didn’t recognize those three-leaved climbing vines on the tree they were leaning against. All in all, it was one of the less positive trips my father made with that group. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346/44 "2019-05-02T11:53:18Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > The only time I ever encountered the word “chigger” growing up in Saskatchewan was in the text adventure video game “Adventureland”. I had to look it up in the dictionary. > > EDIT: Same as **pulykamell** , apparently. YES!!! That was exactly the game! I also remember learning the word “doubloons” from Pirate’s Cove/Pirate Adventure. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346/45 "2019-05-02T12:01:43Z")
Living up north has its advantages. I’m hoping that, between the -60 degree polar blasts and the torrential flooding rains that we’ve had, the insect population is going to be at a minimum this summer. When in the Dallas area last week, I was out back sunning myself when I noticed a large hovering creature by the Rose bush on the other side of the pool. I asked my uncle, “Oooh, is that a hummingbird?” (They have quite a few beautiful species down there.) He answered dryly, “No, that’s a wasp.” :eek: ---
**Author:** ![MDfive21](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@MDfive21](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MDfive21)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346/46 "2019-05-02T12:33:02Z")
coastal texas harbors these little menaces. a sure way to get rid of them is to go into the ocean or take a salty bath. the salt water kills them. as mentioned above, nail polish works to but takes a little longer. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346/47 "2019-05-02T13:01:50Z")
Just because a couple of people have hinted at it, it’s a myth that chiggers bore into your skin and that covering with nail polish kills them. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346/48 "2019-05-02T13:16:22Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I was also once warned while collecting Spanish Moss that it was full of chiggers. But I’ve never actually encountered them, in either plant or anywhere else. In the very early 20th century American automobile manufacturers used Spanish moss as stuffing for their car seats. Much hilarity ensued. Nice catch, **kaylasdad99**. So tempting to feed them, isn’t it? 😉 ETA: Oh yeah, been in Colorado for 20 years and have encountered exactly zero chiggers. Haven’t even seen any ticks although I know they’re out there. And have never had a problem with fleas here. I think it’s too dry, or maybe the winters too cold, for the little bastards to really flourish. Nail polish does work on ticks, tho. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346/49 "2019-05-02T13:32:29Z")
One thing that’s not a problem in the mountains of Colorado are bugs. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346/50 "2019-05-02T13:34:48Z")
> [@Turek](#): > > … it’s a myth that chiggers bore into your skin and that covering with nail polish kills them. Yes. They don’t burrow into you. Instead, they inject digestive enzymes that create a small tube (known as a stylostome), from which they suck your (already partially digested) flesh. ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346/51 "2019-05-02T13:35:40Z")
The first time in my life I’d ever heard of a chigger was… about ten minutes ago when I opened this thread. I’ve lived my whole life in California, Oregon, and Washington. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346/52 "2019-05-02T13:39:50Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > They are mostly a problem[in the southeast and lower midwest.](http://www.thefossilforum.com/uploads/monthly_2018_06/5b3288c1259b1_chiggermapusa.jpg.e4ec3706f83b48b6479c66ed6bc05061.jpg) I never encountered them in Colorado, California, Oregon or other parts of the west, nor in New York or the rest of the northeast. Are they an issue in Central America (or do the botflies and malaria keep them down)? For the record, I’ve experienced them down South (in US terms), but never in the Northeast or Northwest US. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346/53 "2019-05-02T13:47:22Z")
> [@Ronald\_Raygun](#): > > Got three bites on my scrotum […] I was probably 7. Absolutely miserable. trust me, not actually the worst location. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346/54 "2019-05-02T13:59:03Z")
Not a problem in western PA AFAIK. Then again, I’d never seen a tick in western PA until about 20 years ago and their numbers have steadily increased since. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346/55 "2019-05-02T14:24:52Z")
I don’t think I’ve ever encountered them here in Northeast Ohio. Another reason this is the Best Location in the Nation 😉 ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346/56 "2019-05-02T14:26:10Z")
Unfortunately, they’re all too common in most of Texas. That said, a combination of insect repellent, and treating your socks/pants with this stuff [(permethrin treatment for clothing and gear)](https://sawyer.com/products/permethrin-insect-repellent-treatment/) does wonders. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346/57 "2019-05-02T15:11:55Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > One thing that’s not a problem in the mountains of Colorado are bugs. Well, along with a lot of other chigger-free states mentioned in this thread, Colorado does have ticks. In fact, one of the tick borne diseases is called “Colorado Tick Fever”: > **[Colorado tick fever](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_tick_fever)** > > Colorado tick fever (CTF) is a viral infection (Coltivirus) transmitted from the bite of an infected Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni). It should not be confused with the bacterial tick-borne infection, Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Colorado tick fever is probably the same disease that American pioneers referred to as "mountain fever". > Colorado tick fever virus (CTFV) infects haemopoietic cells, particularly erythrocytes, which explains how the virus is transmitted by ticks and al... Ticks do live at high elevation - up to about 10,500 feet. You won’t find them above timber line on the high peaks, but you have to get up there … I’ve never had a chigger bite, but I’ve had to de-tick myself a few times. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346/58 "2019-05-02T15:21:25Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Not a problem in western PA AFAIK. Then again, I’d never seen a tick in western PA until about 20 years ago and their numbers have steadily increased since. I’ve never had a problem with them in New Jersey although they are supposed to be here. I did get horribly bitten all over both lower legs when I was at Fort Indiantown Gap. So middle PA certainly has them. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346/59 "2019-05-02T15:54:37Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > They don’t occur west of the Rockies, apparently. A few years ago I stumbled across one of those true crime TV shows, and there was a young woman missing in California. The guy they suspected of the crime, when they picked him up, was covered in sores, and the police there didn’t know what they were. Later, when they found the woman’s body dumped in the woods, the police who worked the crime scene all got these same bumps. Turns out they were chiggers, and in one small area chiggers had somehow been imported. They used the chiggers as evidence to help convict the guy. I found a mention of it, it was near Thousand Oaks: [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-09-10-me-44372-story.html](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-09-10-me-44372-story.html) ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346/60 "2019-05-02T16:02:07Z")
> [@EDLance](#): > > Yes we have Niguas here in South Carolina, you must ever be moving, or they will go up on your feet. Now at this time of year where I live you cannot stand still for a moment, but your feet will be strewn with them. This is hard for me now, cause my toe is broken, and I wear no shoes. That is not the worst though; the worst is when you camp, or sleep in the woods; then there is no haven, and they will do the worst violence to you, your legs, feet, and everywhere else you would rather they not; and they will make great red stings all on your body, and they will ache and itch, and you will be miserable. I enjoyed that so much I went and read your other post. 🙂 You should stop by more often. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chiggers-a-miserable-nuisance-everywhere/833346.md?page=4)