Chiggers in Bed? Maybe. Here’s how to tell and what you can do.

Are you waking up with clusters of small, red, itchy bites? Are you starting to freak out that you might have a bed bug infestation in your bed? While that may be the case, it might actually be chiggers in bed, and those could be chigger bites. Good news: that’s a much less serious issue. This guide will help you understand what chiggers are, the difference between their bites and those of bed bugs, and how to get rid of them. 

Note: As of the publishing of this article, there are NO affiliate links. RiddaBugs does not have any affiliate partnerships at this time, so any links are purely for your information. As we add affiliates, we will update these posts.

Chiggers: What Are They?

We like to give as much information as possible, so let’s take a look at what chiggers are before we dive into what you can do about them.

Chiggers might seem like insects but, in fact, they’re a member of the arachnid family, just like spiders or ticks. They’re very small and red, and they go by many names. These names include berry bugs, harvest mites, harvest bugs, red bugs, chigger mites, and harvest lice. They live in tall grass and vegetation and grab hold of people or animals that walk by to hitch a ride.

Typically, chiggers are most active in the spring, summer, and fall afternoons, as they prefer warm temperatures. They become inactive around 60 degrees Fahrenheit and die when the temperature drops below 42 degrees. 

Also, note that chiggers are different than their arachnid cousins, the clover mites. They’re both red, but their bodies are shaped differently and clover mites don’t bite people. They’re also different from ticks, which are far more dangerous.

Chigger Life Cycle

Believe it or not, most of the trouble with berry bugs comes from the babies. After hatching from eggs, these 6-legged hitchhikers find an unfortunate soul to snag onto with their tiny claws. They’ll then feed on the host for a few days until they have enough energy to complete their larval stage and become 8-legged adults.

The adults don’t have the same nutritional requirements, so they’ll leave the host and feed on vegetation until they’re fully developed. They’ll then lay eggs in the vegetation, and those eggs then hatch and start the cycle over again.

Do Chiggers Bite?

Yes, these bugs bite, but it’s only the larvae that do so (similar to carpet beetle larvae). And how they do it is actually fascinating (but super gross).

As larvae attach to a host, they tend to choose warm, moist areas of the body. They grab onto the skin, attach their mouth, and inject saliva into the skin. This saliva liquefies skin cells. In response to this, the body hardens the skin around the saliva, and this creates a tube known as a stylostome in the skin. The mite uses the stylostome to suck out body fluids, and they’ll do so for about 4 days before detaching. 

So, they basically force the body to build tiny little straws for their body fluid refreshments. 

The other unfortunate part of chigger bites is that they’re extremely itchy. They’re usually in tight clusters in a straight line. They can be around waistbands, bra lines, the tops of socks, or in the groin or armpit. The itching can be worse at night (leading some folks to think they may actually have chiggers in their bed). Scratching these bites can lead to pain and infections. 

Chigger Bite vs Bed Bug Bite

Generally speaking, bed bug bites and chigger bites are fairly similar, as they appear as inflamed, red, raised spots on the host’s skin. However, bed bugs and chiggers have different bite patterns and frequencies. 

Bed bug bites are typically in areas with plenty of exposed skin, such as stomachs, chests, and shoulders. Bed bugs usually bite in a line and rarely more than just a few bites. These bed bug bites are sometimes in a line or a geometric shape. Experts often refer to these shapes as the “breakfast, lunch, and dinner sign,” as it signifies where bed bugs moved while eating.

Harvest mites cluster their bites closer together, and there are typically more bites or pimples than bed bugs. Chigger bites are typically in clusters and may be found in lines along waistbands or bra lines as the berry bug was heading toward protection. 

Are Chiggers Dangerous?

Chigger bites are rarely dangerous. While they are itchy and annoying, there are rarely any harmful side effects. Since these bugs feed on liquified skin and bodily fluids (but not blood), they don’t transmit diseases as other bloodsuckers like bed bugs, mosquitos, or even some midges can. 

That said, chigger bites can cause sleeping trouble, skin irritation, and general discomfort. Also, since there is an intense itching that makes the host want to scratch, there is a chance that the bites can become infected and require an antibiotic. 

Chigger Bite Remedies

Chigger bite symptoms can last for weeks, which is one of the most challenging aspects of these bugs. However, there are some steps that you can take to lessen the discomfort and length of time to heal.

Don’t Scratch

Do your best to avoid scratching the bites. Scratching will only hamper the healing process and could actually introduce bacteria and cause an infection. Any serious swelling or fevers experienced could be a sign, so be sure to see a doctor. 

Wash With Warm, Soapy Water

If you suspect that you’ve been a buffet for harvest lice, it’s important to clean them off. Take a shower or bath with warm, soapy water. Use a loofah or washcloth to lightly scrub the skin and hopefully wash any remaining chiggers off (though their claws can be difficult to defeat). This will also lessen the chances of an infection. 

Antihistamines

Dealing with those itchy red bumps is a nightmare, but there are medications you can take to reduce the sensation. Oral antihistamines such as Benadryl can reduce the itching and inflammation caused by the bite sites. Also, topical antihistamine creams can help relieve the itching, as well. This is also true for bed bug bites.

Cool Compresses

If the itching is really intense, a cool compress can help. Use a clean towel or ice pack and apply it to the bite site to soothe the skin. Again, this can help with bites from bed bugs as well.

Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen

Acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be extremely helpful in reducing the pain and discomfort caused by chiggers. Use them only as directed, but they may be helpful to use before bed to allow for a restful night’s sleep. 

Do I Have Chiggers In Bed? Here’s the Truth.

The truth is that there may be chiggers in bed, but only if they latched onto you. They won’t lay eggs in a bed or continue their life cycle there. Their only desire is to feed on skin cells and move on with their lives. If anything, they’ll be in your bed for just a few days before moving out.

However, since the itching from the bites is so intense at night, many victims believe they’re actively being bitten. While that may be the case, it’s usually that they were bitten days prior and are simply feeling the prolonged effects.

Can Chiggers Infest a Bed?

Infestations occur when insects lay eggs within a home and continue reproducing, increasing their numbers and perpetuating the life cycle. This is similar to how stink bugs infest a home (get them before they poop!), or how a colony of termites continues to grow. Chiggers cannot do this in a bed for a few reasons:

• The version of the bug that bites and eats skin cells is the larvae, and they haven’t reached sexual maturity.
• Chiggers lay their eggs in dense, moist vegetation. A bed is not a suitable environment for egg laying.

These behaviors are similar to how midges lay their eggs in standing water, and flies may lay theirs in a trash can. This is an instinct for chiggers, and your home doesn’t fit into their life cycle.

With that said, there could be several larvae in the bed if multiple red bugs attach to the host as they walk by.

I Have Chiggers In my Bed: What Do I Do?

If there are chiggers in your bed, chances are that they haven’t been there very long. And, since these bugs don’t survive long indoors, this is a problem we can handle very quickly.

Leave Them Alone

The easiest approach to handling chigger larvae in a bed is to simply leave them alone for several days. Sleep in a spare bedroom or on the couch. These bugs need skin cells to survive and won’t be able to survive long without them. And, if they do survive, they’ll most likely head back outside where they can continue their life cycle.

Simply strip the bed, do some laundry, and let it sit for several days. 

Sulfur

If you can stand the smell, sulfur is an effective repellent for chiggers. Purchased in a powder, users can sprinkle it on their bed, or they can liquify it in water and spray it on. Sulfur can be strong, and the smell is intense, so plan to wear protective gloves, a respirator mask, and goggles. Also, think about sleeping on the couch for a few days. 

Diatomaceous Earth 

Diatomaceous earth is one of our favorite products at RiddaBugs, and it’s just as effective at handling chiggers as it is other bugs. This naturally-occurring powder consists of crystalized sea organisms, and they’re full of sharp edges. As bugs crawl over DE, the sharp edges scratch them open and cause them to dehydrate. But, since these organisms are so small, they’re entirely safe for humans and pets (though they can be a little irritating to the skin). 

To use DE powder, simply sprinkle a thin layer on top of the mattress and let it sit for a day. Before bed, vacuum the mattress thoroughly with a powerful vacuum to remove all of the diatomaceous earth particles and the dead chiggers. 

Laundry

The final step for getting rid of chiggers is to simply wash your sheets and blanket. These bugs don’t cause infestations in a home and they’re highly unlikely to survive a trip through the water and dryer, so go ahead and toss your bedding in the wash.

How To Prevent Chiggers in Bed

No one wants bugs in their bed, and there are ways to avoid it altogether. The following tips should help keep chiggers and other insects or arachnids out of your bed at home.

Showering

Many times, biting bugs make their way into our homes by hitching a ride on our bodies. We can avoid prolonged bite assaults by taking showers as soon as we come in. Washing well with warm, soapy water will help knock many of these bugs off, but be sure to give yourself a quick inspection for dangerous critters like ticks.

Laundry

It’s just as important to wash our clothes as it is to wash our bodies when we come in. Quickly remove any clothing that may be carrying a pest and throw it in the wash. Wash the load with hot water (if the clothes can handle it) and throw them in the dryer.

Proper Clothing

Most of the battle of keeping insects and arachnids off our bodies (and out of our homes) comes down to dressing properly when we’re outside. Long pants tucked into socks keep them from traveling up our legs, and long sleeve shirts with tight cuffs prevent them from traveling up our arms, as well.

Lawn Care

We can also reduce the amount of potential chiggers in our beds by keeping our lawns cut short. Remember, it’s the larva that bites, and they hatch from eggs laid in tall grasses. Keeping the grass short will force adult chiggers to find a more suitable place for their eggs.  

Your Pets are Hosts Too

Guess what? Fido and fluffy are both just as likely to bring chiggers into the house as you are. As they bound through the tall grass, these quick-grabbing larvae will latch on and find a seat for the ride. While it’s harder to wash bugs from their coats (especially Fluffy’s), it’s a good idea to treat them with a pet-safe product to kill bugs.

Food-grade diatomaceous earth is a popular choice, and we’re going to go over how to use it in a future post. 

FAQs

Can a chigger live in your bed?

No. They can stay in a bed while attached to a host, but they will not live in a bed for long. They need to head outside and complete their lifecycle—something they cannot do inside.

How do I get rid of chiggers in my bed?

Generally speaking, a bit of laundry and a treatment of diatomaceous earth followed by a thorough vacuuming will usually do the trick.

Can chiggers infest your house?

No. Infestations can only occur when a species is able to complete multiple generations of life cycles within a structure. Since chiggers must lay their eggs outside, they do not stay inside long and will not infest a house. 

How long do chiggers live on blankets?

Chigger larvae will only live a few days indoors, whether they’re attached to a host or not. However, if they’re not attached to a host, their viable lifespan is even shorter, meaning they cannot live on blankets for more than 3 days. 

How long do chiggers stay on you?

These bugs typically feed for around 4 days. In this time, they’ll bite the host several times and feed on liquified skin cells until they’ve had their fill. Once they fall off, they head outside to become adult chiggers and continue their life cycle. However, the effects of chigger bites can be felt for one to three weeks after.

Do chiggers wash off in the shower?

Yes, you can wash these bugs off in the shower. Use warm, soapy water and a washcloth or loofah to ensure that you’re knocking them loose.