Most Common Species: Eutrombicula alfreddugesi
Where They're Found: Lawns, brush, tall grass, weedy areas, gardens, and shaded soil near wooded or overgrown areas
Chiggers are tiny, red-colored mites that thrive outdoors, especially in grassy, shaded, or damp areas. In Kansas and throughout the Midwest, the most common species encountered by people is Eutrombicula alfreddugesi. Although they’re very small, adults measure only about 1/20 of an inch chiggers are known for the irritation their larvae can cause after outdoor activity.
While they’re often associated with itching and skin discomfort, the good news is that chiggers are highly manageable, and the conditions that support them can be reduced with simple maintenance and smart outdoor habits. At Green Pest Solutions, we’re here to help you protect your lawn and enjoy your time outdoors worry-free.
Chiggers go through four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult.
Chigger populations tend to increase during late spring and summer, particularly in shady, overgrown areas where soil stays moist. The complete life cycle takes about 7 to 10 weeks, allowing populations to rebuild quickly in the right conditions.
Chiggers love spots with warmth, moisture, and cover. They're typically found:
They’re most active during cooler mornings and evenings and are often encountered while doing yard work, walking through brush, or sitting on the lawn.
Chiggers don’t technically bite, and they do not burrow into the skin or suck blood. Instead, larval chiggers attach to the skin, usually in places where clothing fits snugly, such as waistbands, socks, underarms, or behind the knees, and use their mouthparts to secrete a saliva that digests skin cells, which they then feed on.
While chigger larvae usually fall off on their own after a few days, the skin’s reaction to this process often shows up 3–6 hours later, typically as itchy, red welts. These may look like pimples or small bumps and can itch for several days or longer, depending on your skin’s sensitivity.
At Green Pest Solutions, we understand how important it is to enjoy your yard without worry. That’s why we focus on reducing the conditions that support chiggers, so you can reclaim your outdoor spaces with confidence.
Adult chiggers are just barely visible to the naked eye—they appear as tiny, reddish dots about 1/20 of an inch long and may be seen moving on soil or grass. However, the larval stage, which is the only stage that interacts with people, is much smaller (about 1/150 of an inch) and usually too tiny to spot without magnification. Most people don’t realize they’ve encountered chiggers until skin irritation appears a few hours later.
Yes, dogs can get chiggers, especially if they spend time in grassy, wooded, or overgrown outdoor areas where chiggers are active. The tiny larvae can attach to a dog’s skin, typically around the paws, belly, or ears, causing itching, redness, and irritation. While chiggers don’t stay on dogs long-term, they can still cause discomfort. A gentle bath and consultation with your veterinarian can help relieve symptoms and prevent further skin issues.
Our goal is to help families, pet owners, and outdoor enthusiasts enjoy their lawns and landscapes safely and comfortably. If chiggers are keeping you from spending time outside, we’re here to help with safe, strategic treatment options designed to reduce their presence and prevent future activity.
Our chigger control process includes:
Property inspections to identify areas where chiggers are most likely to thrive
Targeted lawn and landscape treatments with environmentally conscious products
Guidance on landscaping practices that reduce excess shade and moisture
Ongoing seasonal services to keep populations down during peak months
Friendly, knowledgeable technicians who help you feel in control of your yard again
We focus on treating not just symptoms, but the underlying conditions that allow pests like chiggers to thrive, creating lasting results and peace of mind.
In addition to professional treatment, you can take a few simple steps to protect yourself and your outdoor spaces:
For Your Yard:
When Spending Time Outdoors:
These preventative habits, along with our lawn treatments, can make your yard more enjoyable for everyone—without unwanted surprises.
If you’re avoiding your yard or garden because of chiggers, you don’t have to. At Green Pest Solutions, we help you reclaim outdoor comfort through smart, responsible pest control that works with your lifestyle, not against it.
Whether you’re seeing signs of skin irritation after working outside or simply want to be proactive about creating a pest-resistant lawn, our team is here to help with answers, action, and support.
Call Green Pest Solutions today to schedule a property evaluation and take the next step toward a worry-free yard, all season long.
We work with you to create a personalized plan that's aligned with what you care about, because what's important to you is important to us, too. In fact, we'll come back, even outside of normally scheduled visits, at no cost to you until all of your pests are gone.
Fill out the form on this page to get your free estimate.
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© Copyright 2020-Current Green Pest Solutions™
© Copyright 2020-Current
Green Pest Solutionsâ„¢