Get Rid of Chiggers in your Yard
Have you ever had the misfortune of enjoying your yard and then getting a bite on your feet or ankles that wouldn’t quit itching? You likely had a run with chiggers. Thankfully there are many ways to get rid of chiggers in your yard and enjoy your day outdoors without having to furiously scratch your irritated skin.
What are chiggers?
Also known as scrub mites, harvest mites, berry bugs and red bugs, are tiny parasitic arachnids. They resemble ticks, but they are red, six legged, and the size of a grain of sand. This makes them barely visible to the naked eye. They won’t harm your lawn in particular, but they can annoy you. However, you usually won’t even know that chiggers are around until you get bitten and start feeling the urge to scratch.
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Get rid of chiggers naturally
There are a few ways to get rid of these pests that won’t harm the environment around your home or leave harmful residues behind on furniture and other items.
Mow your lawn
Tall grasses are hot spots for chiggers to hang out in while they wait for their next human meal. Follow the next practices that can help you limit the number of chiggers in your yard:
- Mow your grass frequently.
- Trim shrubs, bushes, and any other overgrown vegetation to reduce shady areas.
- Get rid of debris, leaf litter, and wood piles.
- Give special attention to tall grasses around your pet house.
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth
This is a natural remedy that can help you eliminate chiggers. It’s an all-natural, non-toxic product made from the fossilized remains of diatoms – microscopic algae that lives in freshwater.
Apply sulfur
Sulphur won’t kill chiggers, but it can disrupt their metabolism and repel them away from your yard if used at the correct proportions.