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 have lived, I had never heard of turkeys mites and really thought that it was just local terminology. However, I’ve reached the point where I need to know, what exactly finds me so irresistible and how can I fight back! Chiggers versus turkey mites, what is the difference?
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. They are practically invisible to the naked eye, however since they are typically clustered in large numbers, they may appear as a tiny red dot on the skin.
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.
Turkey mites are tiny arachnids that can cause itchy bites and skin irritation in humans. Despite their name, turkey mites do not only affect turkeys – they will readily bite humans and other mammals when given the chance. Understanding what turkey mites are, what they look like, and how to prevent bites can help you avoid these pesky creatures.
What Are Turkey Mites?
Turkey mites are a type of chigger mite belonging to the Trombiculidae family. They are also known as red bugs, jiggers, or harvest mites.
Turkeys are a common host for these mites, hence their name, but they can be found on other birds, rodents, and mammals including humans. Turkey mites are extremely small measuring only 1/100 to 1/20 inch long – too tiny to be seen with the naked eye.
These mites thrive in warm environments with high humidity. Peak activity is in summer and fall when humidity levels are higher. They are most commonly found in grassy fields, forests, parks, and woodlands.
Turkey Mite Life Cycle
Turkey mites have a complex life cycle that includes egg, larva, nymph, and adult stages:
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Adult females lay eggs on the soil that hatch into larvae
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The larvae crawl up grass blades or low vegetation and wait for a host to brush by
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When the larvae encounter a passing human or animal, they quickly climb on and start feeding
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After feeding for several days, the larvae drop off the host and become nymphs.
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The nymphs mature into adults that mate and lay more eggs to start the cycle again.
So the larvae are responsible for attaching to hosts and causing bites. The tiny larval mites are sometimes called “seed ticks” because of their small size.
What Do Turkey Mite Bites Look Like?
The turkey mite larvae have tiny pin-like mouthparts they use to pierce the skin and inject enzymes that digest skin cells. This causes small red bumps that quickly become intensely itchy.
Turkey mite bites typically occur around the ankles, waistline, armpits, or other areas where clothing fits snugly against the skin. The bites often appear in clusters.
Besides being very itchy, turkey mite bites may also blister or become inflamed. The itching can last for several days up to a few weeks. Scratching the bites can lead to infection.
Diseases From Turkey Mites
While turkey mites themselves do not transmit disease, they can lead to secondary infections from scratching. There are also ticks in the same regions as turkey mites that can spread disease.
One example is the Lone Star tick which can transmit ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and alpha-gal meat allergy. So some tick-borne diseases may be mistakenly blamed on turkey mites.
How To Prevent Turkey Mite Bites
Here are some tips to avoid exposure when turkey mites are active:
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Wear long pants and sleeves when in wooded or grassy areas. Tuck pant legs into socks.
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Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent like DEET or picaridin.
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Shower and do a full body check after potential exposure.
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Wash and dry clothes on the highest heat settings.
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Keep grass mowed short to reduce tick and mite habitat.
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Place a 3-foot gravel border to discourage mites around wooded yards.
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Discourage rodents that can host mites around the home.
How To Get Rid Of Turkey Mites
If you experience turkey mite bites, prompt removal can help provide relief:
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Take a hot soapy bath or shower to wash off mites. Scrub the bite sites with a washcloth.
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Apply soothing creams like hydrocortisone or calamine lotion to reduce itching. Oral antihistamines like Benadryl can also help.
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Don’t scratch the bites as this can lead to infection. Keep fingernails trimmed short.
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Use tweezers to remove any remaining embedded mites. Then clean and disinfect the bite site.
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Wash clothes, bedding, and towels in hot water and high heat dryer cycles to kill any lingering mites.
With proper identification and preventative measures, turkey mites don’t have to put a damper on your warm weather fun. Stay vigilant when in wooded areas and act quickly after potential exposure to avoid prolonged itching from these tiny pests.
Frequently Asked Questions About Turkey Mites
Here are answers to some common questions about turkey mites:
How long do turkey mite bites last?
The itching and irritation from turkey mite bites can persist for up to 2-3 weeks, sometimes longer. Prompt treatment can help reduce symptoms.
What’s the difference between chiggers and turkey mites?
Both chiggers and turkey mites are tiny mite larvae that bite humans. However, different mite species are involved. Turkey mites belong to the Trombiculidae family while chiggers are in the Trombiculidae family. Their bites cause similar itchy responses.
Can you see turkey mites?
No, turkey mites are far too small to be seen with the naked eye. Even with magnification they are very difficult to spot. A microscope would be needed to properly identify them.
Do turkey mites burrow under your skin?
No, turkey mites do not burrow under the skin or stay on you for an extended time. They attach briefly to feed for a few days before dropping off. The persistent itching can make it seem like they are burrowing however.
How do you treat turkey mite bites?
Frequent washing and drying on high heat kills mites. Anti-itch creams, oral antihistamines, topical antibiotic ointment, and avoiding scratching can help relieve bite symptoms. See your doctor if bites become infected.
Do turkey mites spread disease?
There are no reports of diseases transmitted directly by turkey mites. However, their bites can become infected if scratched excessively. And some tick-borne diseases in areas with turkey mites may be mistakenly attributed to the mites.
Are turkey mites contagious?
Turkey mites cannot spread directly between humans or animals. But they can bite multiple hosts opportunistically. Keeping yards and woodlands clear of mites helps reduce risk for everyone.
How do you keep turkey mites off your property?
Keep grass mowed short, use gravel borders around wooded yards, eliminate rodent nesting sites, and discourage deer that can all harbor mites. Also promptly treat pets that go outdoors to prevent them from bringing mites inside.
The Bottom Line
Turkey mites are tiny annoying critters that can make your summer miserable with extremely itchy bites. Understanding where they reside, how to prevent bites, and how to find relief if bitten can help you avoid and treat these pesky arachnids. Stay vigilant when in wooded areas and act quickly at the first signs of bites to minimize discomfort. With some simple precautions, turkey mites don’t have to put a damper on your summer fun.
My Proven Tick and Turkey Mite Defensive Strategy
After years of being ravaged by turkey mites I was determined to find a way to protect myself. I have created two essential oil blends to create the Ultimate Tick Repelling Soap! Used alone and in combination with my threefold defensive strategy I have finally experienced my first year free from the agony of turkey mite bites!
To prevent exposed skin, always wear long pants in areas prone to ticks. Many experts suggest tucking your pants into your socks or boots to minimize the exposure to the lower legs.
Recently on Instagram, Ann of all Trades, shared a cool tick hack that I heard for the first time. After hiking or walking through areas likely to include ticks, go over your clothes with a lint roller. Ticks that are still crawling on your clothes can be removed before they make their way to a person’s skin. This works for animals too. Be sure to roll down your dog to find any loose ticks before you let the dog in your home.
Years ago, my family used to backpack in Alaska. For mosquito bite prevention, I treated our clothing with permethrin. I have to admit, I had completely forgotten about this treatment method. Soaking clothes in permethrin creates a long-lasting shield against tiny ticks. Treatments are long-lasting and can hold up multiple washings.
Concentrated forms of permethrin need to be diluted to the recommended 0.5% strength solution recommended for treating fabrics. Once diluted, soak clothes in the solution for several hours, allowing the items of clothing to become completely saturated with the permethrin solution. Clothing can be soaked in batches in buckets or individual items in a plastic bag. Hang clothes to dry. Once dry, wear as usual. The good news is that the treated clothing will be effective in repelling insects for up to six weeks, or six washings! Don’t forget to treat your boots as well!
While I realize that permethrin is a poisonous chemical, I personally feel this method is a safer method than spraying poison directly on my skin and clothes on a regular basis. When treating clothes with permethrin, take all necessary precautions, wear gloves, work outside, be mindful of treatment materials and dispose of them safely.
How Do Ticks Bite?
Once a lone star tick larva or turkey mite finds a host, it cut the skin and inserts its feeding tube. The feeding tube of ticks has barbs that help them attach to the host. Ticks in all stages of development suck blood from their host. It’s during this feeding time that the host can be exposed to the spread of diseases.
Some sources indicated that the larvae stage of ticks doesn’t typically spread tick-borne infections as it is the first stage of feeding and likely the ticks have not encountered diseases from other hosts. However other sources indicate that there is evidence of transmission of Rocky Mountain fever and other diseases at even the larvae stage of development. Anyone exposed to tick bites, should be mindful of signs of infection. Thankfully, Lone Start ticks are not carriers of Lyme disease.