KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Chigger season is off to an early start in our area.
Gerald Hoff, Ph.D, an Epidemiologist at the Kansas City Health Department, says chigger season typically begins in August but area veterinarians are already reporting an increase in dogs and other pets with chigger bites.
Hoff explains that chiggers are tiny insects you can only see with a microscope. Chiggers live in grass and bushes looking to feed on flesh whether it's human or animal.
"They (chiggers) penetrate the skin with their mouth parts," Hoff explained. "The itching is caused by an alergic reaction to the enzymes that the chiggers put into you."
While chigger bites are itchy and irritating, they do not expose victims to other diseases.
Dr. Hoff says good protection against chiggers includes applying insect repellent around your ankles before you go outside. He also recommends wearing long pants tucked into socks to minimize your chance of getting bitten by chiggers.
