What do chigger bites look like. How can you prevent chigger bites. What are the symptoms of chigger bites. How long do chigger bites last. What is the best treatment for chigger bites. Where are chiggers commonly found. How do chiggers attach to humans.
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Understanding Chiggers: Tiny Mites with a Big Bite
Chiggers are microscopic mites that can cause significant discomfort through their bites. These tiny arachnids, related to ticks and spiders, are nearly invisible to the naked eye but can leave a lasting impression on those who encounter them. Chiggers thrive in warm, humid environments, making them particularly common in the southern and southeastern United States during summer months.
Dr. Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann, an urban entomologist from Cornell University, explains that chiggers are often found “in grassy areas, under vegetation and in shady areas with high humidity.” They are particularly prevalent at the edges of wooded areas where grasses grow tall, creating an ideal habitat for these tiny creatures.
The Life Cycle of Chiggers
Interestingly, only the larval stage of chiggers bites humans. Adult chiggers are actually beneficial, feeding on other mites and plant-damaging organisms. The life cycle of a chigger involves several stages:
Eggs: Laid in vegetation
Larvae: The biting stage
Nymph: Non-biting stage
Adult: Beneficial predators
Chigger larvae are red, orange, or yellow in color, depending on their age. While adult chiggers have eight legs, the larvae that bite humans have only six.
Identifying Chigger Bites: What to Look For
Recognizing chigger bites is crucial for proper treatment and prevention of future encounters. Dr. Melissa Levoska, an assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, describes chigger bites as “little red bumps, typically on the lower legs and ankles.” These bites often appear in clusters and can be intensely itchy.
Characteristics of Chigger Bites
Small, red, raised bumps
Appear in clusters
Intensely itchy, especially 24-48 hours after exposure
May resemble pimples, blisters, or hives
Often found in areas where clothing fits tightly against the skin
Chigger bites typically appear in areas where clothing fits snugly against the skin, such as sock lines, waistbands, or under the arms. They may also be found in warm skin folds. The bites themselves are usually painless at first, with itching developing several hours after the initial bite.
Symptoms and Duration of Chigger Bites
The most prominent symptom of chigger bites is intense itching, which can persist for several days. Other symptoms may include:
A rash, particularly on sun-exposed areas
Swelling around the bite sites
Potential secondary skin infections from scratching
Chigger bites typically reach peak itchiness within 24-48 hours after exposure. While the bites themselves can last for up to two weeks, the most intense symptoms usually subside within a few days.
How Long Do Chiggers Stay on the Skin?
Contrary to popular belief, chiggers do not burrow into the skin. Instead, they attach to the skin surface and release digestive enzymes that break down skin cells, which they then consume. This process can continue for several days if the chigger is not removed or dislodged. However, most chiggers that attach to humans fall off or die within 24 hours, especially if the affected area is scratched.
Prevention Strategies: Keeping Chiggers at Bay
While chigger bites can be challenging to prevent due to the mites’ small size, there are several effective strategies to reduce your risk of encounters:
Wear protective clothing: Long-sleeved shirts, long pants tucked into socks, and closed-toe shoes can create a barrier against chiggers.
Use insect repellents: Apply EPA-approved repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to exposed skin and clothing.
Treat clothing: Use permethrin-based products on clothing and gear for added protection.
Avoid high-risk areas: Stay on cleared trails and avoid tall grass, dense vegetation, and leaf litter, especially during peak chigger season.
Shower after outdoor activities: Promptly washing with soap and water can remove any chiggers that haven’t yet attached.
Effective Treatments for Chigger Bites
If you do find yourself with chigger bites, several treatment options can help alleviate symptoms and promote healing:
Antihistamines: Over-the-counter antihistamines can help reduce itching and inflammation.
Topical corticosteroids: Hydrocortisone cream can provide relief from itching and swelling.
Calamine lotion: This can soothe irritated skin and reduce itching.
Cool compresses: Applying a cool, damp cloth to the affected area can help relieve itching and discomfort.
Oatmeal baths: Soaking in a lukewarm bath with colloidal oatmeal can soothe irritated skin.
It’s important to avoid scratching chigger bites, as this can lead to secondary bacterial infections. If symptoms persist or worsen, or if you develop signs of infection such as increased redness, swelling, or pus, consult a healthcare professional.
Myths and Misconceptions About Chiggers
Several myths surround chiggers and their bites. Let’s address some common misconceptions:
Myth: Chiggers burrow into the skin
Reality: Chiggers do not burrow into the skin. They attach to the surface and feed on dissolved skin cells.
Myth: You can suffocate chiggers with nail polish
Reality: This is unnecessary and ineffective. By the time bites are noticed, chiggers have usually already detached.
Myth: Chiggers transmit diseases
Reality: Unlike ticks, chiggers in North America do not transmit diseases to humans.
When to Seek Medical Attention for Chigger Bites
While most chigger bites can be managed at home, there are instances when medical attention may be necessary:
Severe allergic reactions
Signs of secondary infection (increased redness, swelling, or pus)
Persistent or worsening symptoms despite home treatment
Widespread rash or bites covering a large area of the body
If you experience any of these symptoms or have concerns about your chigger bites, consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and treatment.
The Environmental Impact of Chiggers
While chiggers can be a nuisance to humans, they play an important role in their ecosystems. Adult chiggers are predators that help control populations of other small arthropods, contributing to the balance of their habitats. Understanding the ecological role of chiggers can help us appreciate their place in nature, even as we take steps to avoid their bites.
Chiggers in Different Ecosystems
Chiggers are found in various environments around the world, from tropical rainforests to temperate woodlands. Their distribution and behavior can vary depending on local climate and habitat conditions. In some regions, chiggers may be active year-round, while in others, they are primarily a seasonal concern.
Global Distribution and Climate Change
As global temperatures rise due to climate change, the range and activity periods of chiggers may shift. Warmer temperatures could potentially extend chigger seasons in some areas and allow them to expand into new regions. This underscores the importance of ongoing research and monitoring of chigger populations and their impacts on human health.
Chiggers and Wildlife
While we often focus on chiggers’ interactions with humans, it’s important to note that they also affect wildlife. Many animals, including reptiles, birds, and mammals, can be hosts for chiggers. In some cases, heavy chigger infestations can cause stress or health issues in wildlife populations. This interaction between chiggers and various animal species is an area of ongoing ecological research.
Advances in Chigger Research and Management
Scientific understanding of chiggers and their bites continues to evolve. Researchers are exploring new methods for chigger control and bite prevention, including:
Development of more effective and long-lasting repellents
Ecological approaches to managing chigger populations in recreational areas
Improved diagnostic tools for identifying chigger bites
Investigation of potential natural predators or pathogens that could help control chigger populations
These advancements may lead to more effective strategies for preventing and treating chigger bites in the future, improving outdoor experiences for many people in chigger-prone areas.
The Future of Chigger Management
As our understanding of chiggers grows, so too does our ability to manage their impact on human health and comfort. Future developments may include:
More targeted and environmentally friendly chigger control methods
Improved public education and awareness programs
Integration of chigger management into broader pest control and public health strategies
Development of new treatments for chigger bites that provide faster relief and reduce the risk of complications
By continuing to study these tiny but impactful creatures, we can develop better ways to coexist with chiggers while minimizing their negative effects on human health and outdoor activities.
What They Look Like And Photos To Identify Them
If you’ve ever come back from a hike to find a collection of small, itchy red bumps around your ankles but didn’t know what they were, you probably don’t know what chigger bites look like.
Chiggers, a type of mite, are more common in the south and southeastern U.S. because they thrive in hot, humid weather. They’re also most common in the summer, per Cleveland Clinic.
“They tend to be in grassy areas, under vegetation and in shady areas with high humidity,” Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann, Ph.D., an urban entomologist and coordinator with the New York State Integrated Pest Management community program at Cornell University, tells TODAY.com.
So, for instance, you’re likely to encounter them at the “edge of a wooded area where the grasses are a little high,” she adds.
While chigger bites aren’t generally harmful, they can still be itchy and bothersome. Here’s how to identify and manage chigger bites, according to experts.
What are chiggers?
The chiggers that bite humans “are the larval stage of a mite that is otherwise harmless and actually beneficial,” Gangloff-Kaufmann says. “They eat other mites and other plant-damaging critters.”
Chiggers are closely related to ticks and spiders, but they’re almost invisible to the naked eye, according to Cleveland Clinic. After chiggers hatch, they feed on the skin of a human or animal until they fall off and turn into an adult mite.
Chiggers are red, orange or yellow depending on how old they are; adults have eight legs whereas larvae have six, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation. Because of their color, they’re sometimes visible on the skin.
What do chigger bites look like?
When diagnosing chigger bites, doctors are “looking for little red bumps, typically on the lower legs and ankles,” Dr. Melissa Levoska, an assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, tells TODAY.com.
Chigger bites are at their itchiest up to 48 hours after exposure, and the bites can last for up to two weeks. Courtesy Kambrose123/Wikimedia Commons.via Wikimedia Commons
And, often, “you’ll have a history of a patient who was out in the grass in a wooded area,” Levoska says. “It’s really (common) in areas where there’s tall grass where the chiggers will lay their eggs, and then they’ll attach to your clothing and then get on your skin to actually bite you,” she explains.
Chigger bites appear as small, itchy red bumps that show up in clusters, MedlinePlus explains. The bites may be pimple-like, blister-like or similar to hives.
They typically appear in specific areas on the lower body where tight clothes meet skin, like at the cuffs of your socks or the waistband of your leggings. Chiggers might also bite in between warm skin folds, MedlinePlus says. When chiggers bite, it’s usually painless — the itching begins hours later.
Chiggers often bite the ankles, leaving behind clusters of itchy, red bumps. Courtesy TimVickers/Wikimedia Commons.via Wikimedia Commons
Chigger bite symptoms
The most obvious symptom of chigger bites is the bites themselves, which tend to be red, raised pimple-like itchy bumps.
In addition to the bites, MedlinePlus notes that you might also experience:
A rash, which generally only appears on areas of skin that were exposed to the sun.
A secondary skin infection, with symptoms such as swelling and pus, due to scratching.
Chigger bites can look like small pimples or blisters. Courtesy Dick Culbert/Wikimedia Commons.via Wikimedia Commons
How do you get chigger bites?
People are likely to encounter chiggers while hiking, having a picnic, working outside or really “doing anything in the great outdoors,” Gangloff-Kaufmann says. “It could be farming or it could be mowing your lawn.”
While the Cleveland Clinic notes that chigger bites can be difficult to prevent because of how small chiggers are and they way they can cling to clothing, there are a few ways to prevent chigger bites.
How to prevent chigger bites
When outdoors in areas where chiggers may live, protect yourself with long-sleeved shirts, tall socks and pants tucked into boots.
Treat your clothing with insect repellents before going outside.
Use mosquito repellent or another bug spray.
Avoid grassy, wet and wooded areas during warm temperatures, especially in the summer.
How long do chiggers stay on after biting you?
Chiggers can stay on the skin after the initial bite, according to Cleveland Clinic. When they bite, they release a digestive enzyme that allows the chigger to drink skin tissue without burrowing into it. Due to this enzyme, the itching is most uncomfortable in the first one to two days after the bite. But once you notice the itching feeling and begin to scratch, the chigger will fall off.
Most chiggers that attach to humans fall off or die within hours, according to the University of Florida. But it’s possible for chiggers to stay on skin for a few days. After about three days of feeding, they can drop off and move into the next phase of their lifecycle, called a nymph (which precedes the adult phase).
How long do chigger bites last?
A human host usually notices the bite within several hours, and the itching is most intense the first one to two days. Chigger bites usually slowly go away after two weeks, per Cleveland Clinic.
Home remedies for chigger bites
Doctors “don’t see (chigger bites) as often because … they’re not dangerous,” Levoska says.
In most cases, the bites go away within a week or two on their own, and patients can usually manage the itchiness on their own at home without ever seeing a doctor, she explains.
Treatment options can include:
Soothing anti-itch lotions with ingredients like camphor, calamine or menthol.
Topical anesthetics, such as products containing pramoxine.
The itching is usually at its worst 24 to 48 hours after the bites appear, Cleveland Clinic explains. From there, the itchiness will subside and eventually stop completely after two weeks.
Other treatment for chigger bites
If your chigger bites aren’t getting any better with at-home remedies and over-the-counter treatments, it’s worth talking to a doctor, Levoska says. They can prescribe stronger medications, such as a topical steroid or antibiotic in the event of a secondary infection.
A doctor can also help you determine whether what you think is a chigger bite may actually be sometimes else.
How to Get Rid of Chiggers on Skin, In or Around Home
If you, family members, or pets have itchy bites but don’t remember seeing an insect, it could be chigger bites. Chiggers are mites in their immature stage, which can lurk in your backyard in tall grass, weed patches, and damp spots underneath trees. They might be anywhere you venture outdoors where there’s brush or thicket combined with moisture, such as along stream banks. They live all over the world but are most problematicin the American South, Southeast, and Midwest.
Chiggers cause itchy bites that can last for several days. A common misconception is that chiggers burrow under the skin, but this is not true—the itchy red spots are simply an allergic reaction to the saliva of the bites of these tiny pests.
Here’s how to remove chiggers from your body, control them on your property, and prevent bites from occurring.
What Are Chiggers?
Chiggers, also known as red bugs, harvest lice, or harvest mites, are the larvae of certain mites of the Trombiculidae family. There are dozens of genera within this family, and hundreds of species, but the chiggers in your landscape are limited to those species native to your region. In North America, most chiggers are from the Trombicula genus, especially the T. alfreddugesi species. The species native to North America generally do not spread diseases.
How to Get Rid of Chiggers on You
If you’ve been outside and think you’ve been exposed to chiggers, shower immediately with soap when you get back indoors. Chiggers don’t attach to the skin right away—they wander around first. They can live on human skin for up to four days. However, they do not usually last longer than one to two days since their bite causes people to scratch and rub them off their skin.
Launder all the clothes you were wearing immediately on a hot washing cycle. Washing with hot water and detergent, followed by a hot drying cycle, will eradicate chiggers on your clothing.
How to Prevent Chigger Infestation on Property
There is no practical way to rid your landscape of chiggers completely—nor would you want to. Such methods would probably require copious amounts of chemical treatment, which would also harm pollinators and other helpful insects.
However, you can significantly reduce chigger populations by eliminating brush and areas of long grass. Good sun exposure to all areas of your landscape will dramatically reduce the number of these insects.
What Do Chiggers Look Like?
Like spiders and ticks, chiggers are arachnids—but extremely small ones. Adults get to about 1/60 inch in size. The red-colored larvae of chiggers are so small—only 1/120 to 1/150 of an inch—that you can barely see them with the naked eye. If you do, they will look like dust particles—though you may see them move. If you see tiny red spots moving across a sidewalk, it’s likely chiggers.
In cooler climates, late spring and early summer are prime times for chiggers, but in warmer, humid climates, chigger larvae can be present year-round, as they produce up to five generations per year.
Signs of Chigger Infestation
The only accurate indication that you have a chigger problem is when people or pets develop maddening, itchy bites—without seeing the biting offender. After the mite eggs hatch in the spring, the fast-moving six-legged larvae climb onto low-growing vegetation and wait for suitable hosts to come along: cats, dogs, rodents, reptiles, birds, and humans.
The larvae attach to the skin of their host, preferably soft skin, and inject their saliva into it. The digestive enzymes in the saliva liquefy the host’s skin cells, which causes the typical chigger rash and intense itching that starts three to six hours after the chiggers have attached to the skin. Most bites occur around the ankles and sometimes waistline areas if walking in tall brush.
If not removed, chiggers remain on the human skin for about four days. When done feeding, the chiggers drop off to grow into nymphs and adults. In this later stage, they no longer prey on their hosts but live on to continue the cycle.
While the bites can leave itchy welts, they are not dangerous. However, intense scratching of the bites can open the skin to secondary infections.
Dealing With Chigger Bites
According to the Texas Cooperative Extension, a shower should give some relief to skin reactions to chigger bites (chigger dermatitis). DEET-containing products are your best bet to keep chiggers away. If you get bitten, avoid scratching and combat the itch with common at-home remedies you use to stop itching.
Chigger bite John Brandauer / Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
3 Ways to Get Control of Chiggers
Control the Environment
You can control chiggers by making your yard less attractive for them—chiggers like moist areas with dense vegetation. Prune your trees and shrubs to let in more sunlight and decrease humidity. Regularly mow your lawn closely around trees, shrubs, and edges between garden beds and woody or naturalized areas.
Rodents and other small mammals are the primary hosts for chiggers. By removing piles of debris and brush, you discourage these animals from settling down in your yard and bringing chiggers with them.
Change Your Habits
If you are an environmentally conscious homeowner, you might wonder how chigger prevention and naturalized landscapes go together. Controlling chiggers does not mean that everything has to be manicured. You can still have your pollinator gardens and meadow-style beds and provide shelter for desirable wildlife. Just as with ticks, take appropriate protective measures.
The standard recommendation is to avoid brushing against vegetation, which is impractical for gardeners. Instead, wear protective clothing when working in tall grass, overgrown areas, and brush. Wear long sleeves and pants, tuck your pants into your socks, wear work boots, and tuck your sleeves into gardening gloves.
Treat your clothing with insect repellent. Insect repellents containing DEET are effective against chiggers. You can also try DEET-free alternatives, but check the repellent label to see if the product effectively repels chiggers.
Protect yourself from chiggers with pants and boots
Getty Images / RCKeller
Use Insecticides
Unless you have a place in your yard infested with chiggers for consecutive years, spraying insecticides is not usually a good solution. Broad-spectrum insecticides also kill beneficial insects and should only be the last resort.
Chiggers overwinter in the soil, so if you have a chigger hot spot, you might consider spraying the low-growing vegetation with products containing bifenthrin, carbaryl, cyhalothrin, or permethrin for a one-time application in late April through mid-June when the chiggers hatch. Like with all chemicals, read the label carefully.
Spraying the entire lawn is not very effective, as these insects avoid direct sunlight and are usually found only in unkempt areas and tall grass.
What Causes Chiggers?
Chiggers thrive in woody, grassy areas with long grass and brush. Here are the possible causes of a chigger infestation:
Shady, moist breeding places like high weeds or leaf piles
Plentiful animal hosts—mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians—provide blood.
Trash or refuse piles attract host animals like rodents and provide an appropriate breeding ground
Chiggers vs. Jiggers
Chiggers are often confused for jiggers (Tunga penetrans), a type of sand flea, because of the similarity of their common names. The female jigger or sand flea burrows into the skin and lays eggs under the skin, causing an infection. This infection is called tungiasis.
Since chiggers are often confused for an “insect that burrows into the skin,” the confusion is likely for jigger fleas. However, it’s not a jigger sand flea if you’ve just got a bite and are in the United States. Jiggers do not live in North America or Europe; they mainly inhabit the Caribbean, Central and South America, sub-Saharan Africa, and India.
Chiggers
Bright red arachnid
Tiny, almost microscopic (1/60 inch)
Bites are often clustered
Bites are pinpoint red spots
Native worldwide; namely grass or wooded areas
Bites commonly occur on legs and ankles; also tight spots like waistbands, bra lines, sock lines, and skin folds
Jiggers
Reddish brown flea
Small, but visible (1/32 inch)
Bites are single
Bites are small swollen lesion, with a black dot at the center; can grow to size of pea
Native to sandy zones in Caribbean, Central and South America, sub-Saharan Africa, and India
Bites commonly occur on feet
FAQ
Generally, chiggers in North America are not known as spreaders of disease, though in East Asia and the South Pacific, there are types of chiggers known to spread a form of typhus. However, scratching chigger bites can open the skin to possible bacterial infections.
The entire lifecycle of the insect varies by species and can be as little as two months or as much as 12 months. But the larval stage is where the insect feeds on blood. This larval stage lasts only until the larva succeeds in its quest for a blood meal, at which point it drops off and enters its nymph state on the way to becoming an adult.
Depending on the climate, the insects may reproduce many times, but in most regions of North America, two or three generations per year are typical.
In most areas of North America, chiggers go through two or three cycles, and the period from May until frost is regarded as chigger season, though late spring and early summer are the most conducive to chiggers. In frost-free regions, chiggers are possible at any time of year but will be most prevalent during moist seasons.
Notebook of the theorist – LJ
Theorist’s notebook
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Below are the 10 most recent journal entries recorded in the “Alexander Stekolnikov” journal:
Pietermaritzburg – Cape Town Last night there was another power outage at the hotel. They turned on the generator, which provided flashing lights and Wi-Fi. Microwave and kettle didn’t work so dinner was cold. Refrigerator leaked overnight. Since, when checking in online for a flight, I saw somewhere that baggage check-in ends at 5.25, I got ready at 4.45 and asked the receptionist to call a taxi. The taxi arrived immediately; as a result, I was the first of the passengers to appear at the empty airport, and the check-in at 5.25 had not even begun yet. During the hour flight from Pietermaritzburg to Johannesburg, they were fed breakfast – a cold croissant and a box of juice. The plane from Johannesburg to Cape Town, the same company, Airlink, was larger – with four rows of seats – and flew a little over two hours. There was a second breakfast – a sandwich with chicken and cheese (also cold), a glass of wine and coffee with milk. ( Porthole photoCollapse )
I had a transfer booked to Stellenbosch. The driver (a native of Zimbabwe, as he said) was caught talkative: he talked all the way about what we see around him, like a real tour guide. Of course, I was struck by the “townships” in the suburbs of Cape Town: a huge area built up with sheds made of corrugated iron and other rubbish, where almost a million people live. We built these in the gardens, for storing inventory. “But here we have the poorest. And here – the middle class.” Middle-class houses, of course, are more like houses, but, damn it, the decor … They also stand almost close to each other, and there is nothing around. These are not even our “dormitory areas”, where there has always been at least something other than housing, as well as space between houses.
The hotel in Stellenbosch is a cool four-star hotel. Wifi is great, room decor is top notch. There is a “mini-bar”, ie. refrigerator with various alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (if you want to take something there, you must first pay at the reception). And here’s what else is in the bedside table: (Read more…Hide) The city, at least the surrounding area, looks completely European, and not like Pretoria and Pietermaritzburg. Restaurants, cafes, University buildings (and not a campus fenced with barbed wire, as in Pretoria). There is no dinner at the hotel, you will have to find a suitable restaurant nearby.
Alexandra Park There was an idea today to order a taxi via Uber and go to the Botanical Garden, but on his website I read that entrance fees from 2022 are paid only by cards, and UnionPay cards in Pietermaritzburg do not seem to be accepted. Other interesting natural sites that Tripadvisor offered to see were even further away. Only Alexandra Park was within walking distance, so in the end I went there, knowing in advance that it was a garbage dump.
Shit stream, high voltage line, weeds and picnic areas around the edges. I looked at the park from the bridge, did not go down – it was too garbage and uninteresting there.
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Voortrekker Museum The museum complex dedicated to the history of KwaZulu-Natal and Pietermaritzburg in particular is one of the city’s well-fenced and therefore clean and cultural areas. There is no gate, only a barrier at the entrance, however, when I tried to go there, a security guard jumped out of the booth and asked what I wanted. Obviously, pedestrians are not used here. Museum entrance:
I didn’t take pictures inside because 1) it says that photography is not allowed, 2) there is practically nothing to take pictures – there are quite a few exhibits that are not photos, texts or layouts, 3) it’s too dark.
The main part of the exposition is devoted to diversity: in addition to the Zulu, Afrikaners and Indians, various groups of mestizos are also represented; when and how they got there. Religious communities of all world religions, as well as original syncretic cults (as I understand it, local paganism with Christian motives introduced). A separate exhibition is the story of Napoleon Eugène Bonaparte, a candidate for the French throne, who was killed during the Anglo-Zulu War. As in the Museum of Natural Sciences, a significant part of the exhibition is devoted to the struggle for freedom. The history of all pogroms seems to be covered something like this: there were good, correct pogromists who fought for everything good against everything bad. If they destroyed someone’s property (for example, they burned cars), then only the property of bad, unworthy people. Along with them, there were wrong pogromists, who were probably supported by the police and the generally anti-people regime (there is no exact data, but this is highly likely). That’s all the evil done to good citizens, as well as monuments of history and culture – this is the work of such fake revolutionaries – in essence, agents of the government.
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And speaking of birds, too. The most conspicuous birds on the city streets in Pretoria and Pietermaritzburg (like necklace parrots in London) are mynes. Yellow beak, white spots on the wings and loud characteristic cries. There are also pigeons, but not like ours.
Haven’t figured out yet what to do tomorrow. You have to go somewhere so that the hotel room can be cleaned. But the places recommended for visiting are no longer there.
Tags: Africa, friendship of peoples, travel, photo
04:09 pm
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Several views of Pietermaritzburg from above From the windows of the Museum of Natural History:
(The building with balconies is Tatham Art Gallery. – poor modern handicrafts)
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Shiraz Found the best liquor store here, Tops (the last one, Liberty Liquids, was still plebeian). This wine costs twice as much as the previous one:
And it just didn’t work for me: the corkscrew in the souvenir knife broke, I had to pick out the cork. When its remains fell inside, the most beautiful shirt I had just put on after washing was splashed with wine. If you look closely, this stuck cork is visible in the neck (on top – a cork from another bottle). A plastic glass – I bought this so as not to drink wine from a glass for juice. Moreover, I have already broken two such glasses.
Now I see that South African brandy really exists. There are many more local liqueurs.
Finished work in Pietermaritzburg today, all that’s left is to sign the loan form.
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History and Ethnography at the Museum of KwaZulu-Natal In the same Pietermaritzburg Museum of Natural Sciences, a significant part of the exhibition is devoted to history and ethnography. The “Victorian Rooms” gallery is interesting: there are a lot of all sorts of artifacts, but, unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to take pictures: it’s too dark.
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Tags: africa, artifacts, natural history museum, no to global warming, penguins, travel, photos
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I got to the alcohol supermarket Security is there, of course … I don’t even know what to compare with. At the exit, three people stand at once, with a wall – they need to present a check with a stamp and the signature of the cashier. And plus there are several fighters in the hall – they are watching.
And in Pretoria I ordered a glass of Shiraz, also, it seems, from the Cape. I did not observe local strong drinks – although I did not carefully examine the shelf with brandy in the supermarket.
I also went to a real food supermarket, SuperSpar, bought ready-made meals in the cookery. Tonight I’ll try to do without a restaurant. The main thing is that the microwave in the hotel works. There is also a laundry nearby: they washed, dried and ironed a kilogram of clothes for me for 50 rands.
A Russian emigrant, Igor Muratov, a specialist in mollusks, works in the museum. Yesterday, at lunchtime, he took me around the city and told entertaining stories from local life.
Warren Gallery The Warren Gallery is the crown jewel of the Natural Science Museum in Pietermaritzburg. Groups of animals in surprisingly natural poses – it is immediately clear that they were made by a naturalist, a hunter, and not a simple stuffed animal. The furnishings are also carefully made: rocks, grass, bushes, etc. For the first time I see taxidermy works that can confidently compete with the creations of M.A. Zaslavsky, exhibited in ZIN. More precisely, it is Zaslavsky’s works that can compete with Warren’s compositions – the latter, it seems, are older.
Pietermaritzburg, furnishing As in Pretoria, there are architectural highlights such as the City Hall and the surrounding complex of buildings and monuments. The Natural History Museum is a real gem; there will be a report about it when I process the photos. But the surroundings are terrible. Mountains of garbage, the smell of urine, all sorts of stoners and alcoholic degradants roam (not that in crowds, but noticeably present). On the other hand, when I went to the museum, a Negro with a camera and in a medical mask (more precisely, a covid – like, an advanced, progressive dude) was sitting near the city hall and was deeply engaged in photography. On the way back, about three hours later, I saw him at the same place. And no one robbed him during this time. The museum is practically empty, in three hours I met no more than 10 visitors there, and this is on Sunday, a day off! Let’s remember what happens on weekends in ZIN, and even on ordinary days, during school holidays. In general, fenced islands of culture in the midst of a general decay. By the way, here, at 90e, in our gangster Petersburg, there was a similar situation, and now it has become a clean and safe city. What needs to be done in South Africa to make Pietermaritzburg the same? I don’t know.
Found another supermarket, huge, with a lot of products – but only those that do not require a refrigerator. I bought a can of canned tuna and a can of beans in a tomato. There was no alcohol. Google shows a liquor store around this place, but apparently this is outdated data. There are no decent street cafes either, and I don’t want to go to various open-access eateries here, so I’ll have to dine with canned food (breakfast and dinner are in the hotel restaurant). Yes, the UnionPay card did not work in this market either – you can no longer try.
Pietermaritzburg, hotel
The hotel is of a noticeably lower standard than in Pretoria. Shower cubicle, the toilet is dark, there is no rug in the room, no heater. During the day it’s above twenty outside, but for some reason it’s not hot in a jacket, and at night and in the morning it’s 5-10. The room is cool; sleeping very well, but not sitting very well. If I had known in advance, I would have taken with me not an outer jacket, but a fleece. And so you have to wear a jacket at home. There is also a kitchen corner with a high table: when I sit at it, my chin is only slightly higher than the table. There is a printed warning that power outages are possible during peak hours (and the hot water in the shower, by the way, comes from an electric heater). There is a microwave, but I doubt it will work. Wi-Fi neither in the morning nor in the evening does not pull at all: I use mobile Internet.
The reception has a sign saying “We accept Visa” which seems to be the only cards accepted here. At least UnionPay failed. They cook worse than in Pretoria: the fish for dinner was undercooked and peppered. Wine is not poured: you can only take a whole bottle. Today I will take at least a beer or whiskey. It is also surprising that there are no napkins in the restaurant. There are always some la-la-poplars in the corridor: apparently, because opposite is the staff room.
Since the restaurant is closed during the day, I went out yesterday to buy food. I found a large supermarket, but the only food there was biscuits, quick noodles and lemonade. Bought a pack of biscuits for cash; when paying, the cashier healed the change, five kopecks 🙂
Today I want to go to the museum as a regular visitor (adult ticket – only 15 rand), take pictures of the exposition. I hope that at least in the museum they won’t take my camera away from me.
Tags: Africa 281
Fleas against ticks | SES Service
Fleas vs. ticks: find out the difference.
1. Fleas vs Ticks: Find out the difference.
1.1. Fleas or ticks: similarities
1.2.
1.3. Fleas or ticks: differences
1.4.
1.5. Treatment of ticks and fleas
1.6. Do ticks carry disease? Undoubtedly!
1.7. Where do ticks live?
1.8. How to get rid of ticks
1.8.1. Getting Rid of Ticks – Some Useful Tips
1.9. Pictures of ticks
2. What does a tick bite look like?
3. Ticks on dogs
4. Ticks on a rabbit
5. Tick control
5.1. About ticks
5.2. List of ticks
5.3. red mites
5.4. bird mites
5.5. How to get rid of bird mites
5. 6. 1. Find them
5.7. 2. Use Bird Mite Repellent
5.7.1. Bird tick identification
5.7.2. Life cycle of a bird mite
5.7.3. Habitat for bird mites
5.7.4. Bird tick bites on people
5.7.5. Photos of bird mites
6. The cost of treatment from ticks and fleas in Moscow and Mo
7. Free consultation
8. Did not you find what you were looking for?
Fleas and ticks are common and important external parasites of humans and pets. These abundant insects cause painful, irritating stings and can also carry and transmit diseases. Although they have much in common, including in terms of treatment, they have different appearances, habits and life cycles. This article will help you identify, treat and understand the differences between these two blood-sucking pests.
Fleas or ticks: similarities
Fleas and ticks transmit diseases and health problems. Fleas transmit tapeworms, while ticks transmit Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
These insects feed on blood, and in this case, both animals and people suffer.
Both cause an annoying bite, with a red mark left behind.
These pests affect domestic animals and can cause serious health problems in animals if left untreated.
Often, especially for pets, the same products can be used to control fleas and ticks. Most pet treatments, including stains, powders, sprays, and medications, help control fleas and ticks. Pets that spend time outdoors should always be treated for these insects, especially during flea and tick times (warm months).
Fleas or ticks: differences
Fleas and ticks have more differences than similarities:
Appearance: ticks, although more difficult to identify, usually larger than fleas. Fleas are about 1/8 inch long and often appear as small dark spots on fur and clothing. Details in fleas are often only visible under a microscope. The mites are flat, tear-shaped, and dark in color, although there are many types of mites you may encounter, and color and size are not great indicators of mites.
Habits and treatments:
Fleas often become a problem because infected pets enter inside where the fleas then hide and breed in your home, causing indoor infestations. The fleas will continue to feed on your animal and may even feed on you. This means that you will have to treat your pet and your home with flea products. While you can control fleas outdoors, fleas tend to be a problem indoors and on your pet.
Ticks do not generally cause indoor infestation. Any pet that spends a lot of time outdoors can pick up the occasional tick, just like humans do. Ticks wait for their hosts to pass the foliage they are on, and then they become attached to their host. It is very important to check yourself and your pets for ticks, as ticks left on the body for more than 24 hours are more likely to become sick. The mites brought inside may end up catching on you, but home treatment is usually not needed. Ticks are best killed outdoors using non-chemical control methods (such as cutting grass, cutting leaves, etc.) and insecticides that can be sprayed in your yard. People should be protected and take measures against ticks when spending time outside, as people are just as susceptible to tick-borne diseases as pets.
Tick and Flea Treatment
We offer a wide variety of tick and flea control products. From your pet to your sofa and even for you, we have the professional products and information you need to protect your pets and keep your home free of fleas and ticks.
Do ticks carry diseases? Undoubtedly!
Ticks are one of the most common and annoying pests for people and pets such as dogs and cats. They also pose a threat to the health and well-being of both humans and their pets, as they are known to spread several different debilitating diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. These diseases are spread because of the way the mite lives; mites, like fleas and bed bugs, are parasitic insects that survive by feeding on the blood of any animal they land on.
Where do ticks live?
Ticks are commonly found in forested areas and often attach themselves to any animal or person that passes by. Their mouthparts are structured so that they can hold on to the host despite most attempts to remove them, and once they bite the host they will remain attached to them until they have blood. This often results in them looking bloated and visible even through thick fur.
How to get rid of ticks
Getting Rid of Ticks – Some Helpful Tips
Since these bugs almost always enter your home and to you through pets such as dogs and cats, which are more susceptible to pests, you should definitely learn different ways to treat your pets to keep them free from ticks.
Because mites are most commonly found in yards, forests, and other open areas, you should, if possible, treat any areas your pets may come into contact with. The best product for this is cypermethrin. It is applied to the lawn or other areas where ticks may be hiding and quickly knocks down any ticks that come into contact with it.
Also, if you’re going out, you can avoid these mistakes by purchasing a product like Tick Block, which is applied to your clothes instead of your skin. It will repel the ticks from attaching to you and will also kill anyone who actually tries to bite you.
Pictures of ticks
So what does a tick look like? Here are some snapshots of ticks to help you identify them.
What does a tick bite look like?
Dog ticks
Rabbit ticks
Tick control
There are thousands of ticks , but only some of them are seen by people. Most often, mites live near animals, but some, such as clover and dust mites, can enter homes. Book a tick treatment service or buy our tick control products. Read below to identify the types of mites that people may encounter.
About mites
Technically, mites are not insects. They are closely related to ticks and spiders. Most are 1/8 inch long or less; some are invisible to the naked eye. They have four main life stages: egg, larva, nymph and adult. Most mites are useful as they break down organic matter and make it available to plants for reuse. Some feed on plants (which make them pests in gardens) and some feed on animal hosts, but most feed on organic matter. Ticks that feed on plants or specific animal hosts will not be able to breed successfully on humans; they need the right owners to survive.
Most mites feed on plants or other insects. You can’t often find ticks on people, and tick bites on people are usually caused by mites or scabies.
Mite List
The list below will help you identify the mites that may be causing you problems. We have products (repellents and sprays) and other treatments for ticks that can help you get rid of ticks and we will show you how to kill ticks and we can give you helpful tips on dealing with tick infestation and doing your own tick extermination .
Mite bed : see dust mites. Bird mites : These mites feed on the blood of birds. They can cause serious problems when the nest is abandoned or the owner of the bird dies. They can infect homes as they migrate to find a new host and bite humans and animals. They need host birds for breeding. We will be happy to advise if you have a positive tick infestation ID from an entomologist. Carpet ticks : This is not a type of tick. These may be other mites (such as dust mites) or carpet beetles. Cat ticks Chicken ticks : Also called the red poultry tick, this tick only feeds on the host at night, hiding in chicken coops or in areas of darkness. Chickens can also be infected. Chiggers (red crop mite) : Chiggers are immature stages of the red crop mite. They do not hide in the skin, but in the hair follicle, injecting saliva that dissolves the tissues they swallow. They cause severe itchy welts and prefer belts or socks (any limited area). Mature stages of the mite are predatory and feed on the eggs of insects such as mosquitoes. Clover mites : These are plant infesting mites that can infest the home, but they do not bite. Dust mites : These mites are often associated with allergies. Body parts from dead mites are so small that they can become airborne and inhaled. They don’t bite. They feed on the cells of the skin and hair of humans and animals. Demodex mites . These mites live in or near the hair follicles of mammals. They are often referred to as “eyelash mites” and can cause some skin conditions. There are two kinds; one lives on humans and one mostly on dogs, and can cause mange in dogs (demodedic mange) or mange in humans. Dog ticks : Although not exactly a type of tick, there are many types of ticks that can affect dogs. Ear mites: While several mites can live in your pet’s ears, the most common “ear mit” is otodectes cynotis. It is very small and feeds on wax and oils in the ear canal. Most commonly found in outdoor cats, humans are protected from these mites. Veterinarians can help treat this tick in your pet. Eyelash mites : Gall mites : There are many varieties of this mite and they cause plants or trees to develop balls (called galls) on leaves or branches. If the tree is healthy, no treatment is usually required. Cereal mites : These mites can be killed quickly by discarding contaminated food and removing the area of infestation. Usually the products are not recommended for consumption. Mite harvest : Chiggers larval stage. See Chiggers for more information. Mange pliers : Paper pliers : These are similar to “sand mites”. They don’t exist, but they’ve been accused of mysterious rashes or bites in offices or libraries. The real culprit could be scabies mites or fleas. Predatory mites : These mites are useful because they kill mites that damage plants (eg spider mites). Plant mites : These insects damage plants and can cause discoloration and premature leaf or bud drop. Rat mites : they are similar to bird mites but use rodents as hosts. They are often treated like bird mites. Red Mites : See information below under Red Mites. Sand mites : not a type of mites. Often people accuse “sand mites” of being bitten by unknown insects on the beach or in the sandbox. Scabies mites (sarcoptic mites) : These mites are similar to Demodex mites but burrow into the skin instead of hair follicles. It causes mange in animals and mange in humans. Skin mites : usually refers to mites or mites that cause scabies, such as sarcoptic mites. Thread mites : This is a mite that infects plants and causes leaf damage. Neem oil and insecticidal soap are often recommended. Spider mites They are classified as arachnids and can cause serious damage to plants. The double-spotted spider mite is the most significant species of spider mite due to crop damage. Varroa mites : These parasitic mites prey on bees, especially unmanned broods, by sucking the bees’ blood. They can devastate bee colonies. Velvet mites (and red velvet mites) : These mites can be found in gardens. They parasitize some insects and are harmless to humans and animals. White mites : This is a very broad description of many mites. It may be a species of spider mite, but there may be several mites. White ticks are not an independent species. Forest mites: This is not a type of mites, but mites seen outdoors are often referred to as “tree mites”.
Red mites
There are thousands of types of mites, and although they are extremely small, some of them are easy to see due to their color. Tiny red mites are clearly visible against green foliage or white paper and can appear anywhere from window sills to tomato plants. It can be difficult to determine which tick you may be dealing with. Identifying mites can determine if tiny red beetles are harmful to you, your pets, or your garden. Here is a short list of some common red mites. Ticks Chiggers are very small red beetles that live in low, damp places (eg forests, near lakes and streams) and are most active in early summer. The personality stage of this mite is that which causes painful, irritating itching along tight clothing such as socks and belts. The larvae can be yellow, orange, or red with three pairs of legs (versus four for adults) and hairy bodies. They are often mistaken for the clover mite, a harmless red mite that can infest your home. Clover mites : These small red mites feed mainly on grasses and are often found near house foundations on sunny sides of houses. They do little damage to grass and plants, but occasionally find their way into homes due to their very small size. Spider mites: Some types of spider mites appear reddish. All spider mites feed on plants by sucking out the plant’s chlorophyll, causing the leaves to turn yellow or brown and small white spots (graininess) may appear. All spider mites have eight legs and no separate head. European red ticks : these ticks are bright red with round bodies and white spots at the base of the hairs covering their backs. They feed on plants (mainly fruit trees and shrubs) and cause leaf spot but not defoliation. Southern Red Ticks : Unlike other ticks, these small red beetles prefer cooler weather and are most active in autumn and spring. They feed mainly on broad-leaved evergreens such as azalea, camellia, and the holly family. They are dark red and oval in shape. Red palm mites: These tiny insects have flat bodies and are bright red in color. They are not native to the United States, but are beginning to appear in warmer climates. They mainly affect ornamental and fruit palms. They can cause yellow spots on the leaf or even turn entire leaves yellow.
Information via: experts at sesobsluzhivanie.ru, in the Integrated Pest Management Program of Moscow and the Moscow Region, Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Moscow University and Agricultural College.
Bird mites
Bird mites are types of mites that feed on the blood of birds such as chickens and sparrows. They tend to infest chicken coops and other areas where birds live. Our selection of bird mite products will remove these mites to improve the health of your animals.
While the birds themselves are a problem that needs a lot of attention, anyone who lives near them can fall prey to the annoying pest known as the bird mite. These small parasitic insects usually live in and around bird nests, often feeding on the blood of birds, however if they have a chance they will enter human habitation and you can sometimes find bird mites on people as well.
Once on a new host, they will bite and feed. Symptoms of a bird mite include red patches on the skin in addition to the sensation of severe itching caused by saliva.
How to get rid of bird mites
Preventing birds from nesting near your home is the first step to minimizing the risk of bird mites. Removing half nests before they are completed, sealing all access points in attics or other areas, and preventing birds from nesting or roosting on your roof are key steps in preventing bird mites from entering your home. If you find bird mites in your home, find the problematic nest and remove it from your home or property.
Handling bird mites, such as vacuuming or wiping with ethyl alcohol on non-porous surfaces, or even just with a damp cloth, can easily remove mites from your home. Using an aerosol pesticide formulated for mites and indoors (see Products above) is also a good tool. You can also use.
In addition, bird mites do not seem to survive well in low humidity conditions, so air-conditioned or dehydrated homes are unlikely to harbor these pests.
So, to get rid of bird mites:
1. Find them
Bird mites are extremely small (see image below) and can be difficult to see without a magnifying glass, but you will find them easier when you find them group.
The most common places for these pests to infest are bedrooms, but they can be found in any area of the house or apartment where a bird’s nest is nearby.
2. Use bird tick protection
Killing of bird mites can be achieved either with a typical pesticide such as Steri-Fab or Bedlam Insecticide Spray, or with a natural solution such as Diatomite Dust Eco Killer. When using the latter, be sure to apply it evenly over a wide area to give you the best chance of getting rid of all the bird mites that are taking up residence in your home.
Bird tick identification
Bird mites are very small, about a millimeter in length. They are transparent when not being fed, which makes them very difficult to see. If they have eaten, they are reddish brown or brown. They have piercing mouthparts that allow them to take blood from birds.
Bird mite life cycle
Most bird mites can complete their development in 5-12 weeks if temperatures are optimal and a host is present. This rapid life cycle causes the population to explode rapidly.
Bird mite habitats
Bird mites can be found in bird nests, especially in late spring and summer when young birds spend a lot of time in the nest. When their host leaves or bird mite populations become too large, the mites migrate en masse to find a new host. This is when the mites can enter a home where they can bite people or animals to test the viability of the host.
Bird tick bites on humans
Bird ticks will only feed on birds. If they bite you or a pet, they are just checking to see if you are a bird. Although they can repeat their test bites, they cannot breed without a viable bird host. Bird tick bites feel like a prick, and the symptoms of bird tick bites can cause an itchy rash.
Photographs of bird mites
Call a pest control professional. Our number is +7 495 240-82-89 Call! +7926 777-38-30 6 For more information and products, see our bed bug control page. Also check out our bed bug kits.
The cost of treatment from ticks and fleas in Moscow and Mo