Our trips to the homestead can be brutal in the late summer months. It never fails that I get eaten up by what I have called chiggers for many years. However the locals, all say the same thing, likely I was bitten by turkey mites. In all the places I had lived, I had never heard of turkey mites, and I genuinely thought it was just local vernacular. But now is the moment for me to learn what it is about me that attracts people, and how I can defend myself! What’s the difference between chiggers and turkey mites?
Technically chiggers are not insects at all but are arachnids, in the same family as spiders and ticks. They are better known as mites. While chiggers prefer tall grass-like fields and wooded areas they can also be found in your yard. They are most active in the warmer months of the year when temperatures reach 77 to 86 degrees. Fortunately, the chigger larvae die as temperatures drop below 42 degrees.
Adult chiggers are extremely tiny, only about 1/60th of an inch in size. Adult chiggers are not dangerous to humans, it is the larvae that cause such irritation. The larvae are even more tiny, only about 1/150th of an inch. Their propensity to form large clusters can make them appear as tiny red dots on the skin, despite the fact that they are nearly invisible to the unaided eye.
Chiggers prefer brushy and grassy areas that stay moist during the day. The larvae can’t fly, so they remain clustered together waiting for passing hosts. The larvae are strictly parasitic, seeking hosts where they can feed.
Ah, the great outdoors! Fresh air, sunshine, and. chiggers and turkey mites. These tiny critters can turn a pleasant hike into an itchy nightmare. In order to distinguish fact from fiction, let’s explore the world of these bothersome insects and determine which is worse. Do turkey mites also carry Lyme disease?
Chiggers vs. Turkey Mites: A Tale of Two Bites
Both chiggers and turkey mites are larval mites that feed on human blood. They are often mistaken for each other, but there are some key differences. Chiggers are smaller and prefer tall grasses and wooded areas. Turkey mites are larger and are more commonly found on birds, especially wild turkeys.
Here’s a table to help you differentiate between the two:
| Feature | Chiggers | Turkey Mites |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Smaller (1/150th of an inch) | Larger (1/60th of an inch) |
| Preferred habitat | Tall grasses and wooded areas | Birds, especially wild turkeys |
| Bite | Intense itching, red welts or blisters, often in straight lines | Severe itching, red, rash-like bites, may blister, symptoms can last up to three weeks |
Do Turkey Mites Carry Lyme Disease?
The short answer is no. Turkey mites are not known to carry Lyme disease. The bacteria that causes Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, is typically transmitted by blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks.
But other illnesses like tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever can also be spread by turkey mites. Although far less frequent than Lyme disease, these illnesses can nevertheless be quite dangerous.
How to Protect Yourself from Turkey Mites
The best way to avoid turkey mites is to prevent them from biting you in the first place, Here are some tips:
- Wear long pants and sleeves when you are in areas where turkey mites are common.
- Treat your clothing with permethrin, a synthetic insecticide that repels ticks and mites.
- Use insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, or IR3535.
- Shower soon after being outdoors, and wash your clothes in hot water.
- Check your body for ticks and mites after being outdoors, and remove them promptly.
What to Do If You Get Bitten by a Turkey Mite
If you do get bitten by a turkey mite, the first thing to do is to clean the bite with soap and water. You can then apply a calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream to help relieve the itching. If the itching is severe you may need to see a doctor for prescription medication.
Turkey mites can spread other diseases and cause severe discomfort even though they do not carry Lyme disease. You can enjoy the outdoors without worrying about these bothersome critters by taking precautions to prevent bites and knowing what to do if you are bitten.
Additional Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/tickbornediseases/
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents
- National Pest Management Association (NPMA): https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/ticks/
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are turkey mites dangerous?
A: Turkey mites can cause significant itching and discomfort, and they can transmit other diseases, such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. However, they are not known to carry Lyme disease.
Q: How can I tell if I have been bitten by a turkey mite?
A: Turkey mite bites typically appear as red, rash-like bumps that are very itchy. The bites may blister, and the symptoms can last up to three weeks.
What should I do in the event that I believe a turkey mite has bitten me?
A: Clean the bite with soap and water, and apply a calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream to help relieve the itching. If the itching is severe, you may need to see a doctor for prescription medication.
Q: How can I prevent turkey mite bites?
A: Wear long pants and sleeves when you are in areas where turkey mites are common, treat your clothing with permethrin, use insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, or IR3535, shower soon after being outdoors, and wash your clothes in hot water.
Identifying a Chigger Bite
Within a few hours, the chigger bites will begin to itch. The intense itching can often keep you awake at night. The bites will become red welts or blisters. Often these bites will be in straight lines. Admittedly, I haven’t noticed the straight lines of bites, but I’ll try to be more aware of them. Thankfully chiggers don’t carry diseases, however, the secondary infections caused by scratching can cause problems.
Treating the Itch: Chiggers versus Turkey Mites
In my experience, calamine lotion is not effective in treating turkey mites. In recent years, I have used a triple approach. This is what I have done personally, please seek professional medical attention if needed. I first wipe down the affected skin with isopropyl alcohol. While this burns, it does help prevent infection. Try as I might, I can’t help but scratch.
Next, I apply Tecnu Calagel Anti Itch Gel and I also spray with a topical analgesic Tecnu Rash Relief Spray. Yes, I use both, desperate times call for desperate measures. This combination seems to be the best at keeping the itching at bay, however, I haven’t found anything that makes it completely stop. The itching can last for weeks after exposure.
