What to do if chigger mites appear in the house?

What to do if chigger mites appear in the house?

Chigger mites found indoors are most likely brought in from outdoors and do not breed indoors long-term.

Treatment steps

1. Treat clothing — change out of all clothes worn that day; wash in water above 60°C and tumble dry on high heat.
2. Vacuum the whole house — thoroughly vacuum carpets, sofa crevices, under beds, and corners.
3. Check pets — inspect pets for chigger mites; take them to the vet if necessary.
4. Apply insecticide — spray permethrin-containing household insecticide along floor cracks, baseboards, and under door mats to kill any stray mites.

Important notes

Chigger mites do not reproduce indoors long-term. With proper cleaning and insecticide treatment, they will disappear quickly. However, it is critical to trace the source — which grassy area or park they came from — and avoid that area in the future.

Ongoing prevention

• After outdoor activities, carefully inspect clothing and body.
• After pets return from outdoors, check their ears, belly, and between toes.
• Keep the lawn mowed to reduce chigger habitats.