What Insecticide Kills Chiggers in Your Yard and How To Use It Properly

What insecticide kills chiggers in your yard? Chiggers, also commonly known as red bugs or harvest mites, are prevented in yards using specific types of insecticides.

These tiny little mites can be pests in the yard and often cause damage to plants. Aside from that, they also bite hard and cause itchiness.

Having an overgrowth of chiggers can become cumbersome to deal with, so using methods to get rid of an already growing colony is a must. While you can do plenty to prevent chiggers, stopping population growth becomes more burdensome once they are already active.

Apart from using insecticides that target chigger populations, homeowners must also distribute enough insect killers to specific infected areas on a set schedule. We'll give you a breakdown of these measurements and how often you'll need to apply the insecticide to get rid of your chigger problem.

What Insecticide Kills Chiggers in Your Yard?

Chiggers are a particular hard infestation type to get rid of once they've had the pleasure of breeding in your yard. To get rid of them, you'll need a powerful insecticide that can handle getting rid of both the insects and their eggs.

The best type of insect killer for red bugs contains DEET or Permethrin.

DEET Insect Repellent

DEET is an active ingredient in insect repellent products. Its primary use is to repel biting pests such as ticks or mosquitoes, but it's also effective against chiggers.

DEET can be found in the form of liquids, lotions, sprays, towelettes, and roll-on sticks.

How DEET works are by consuming and interfering with insect receptors. It helps by applying a layer of chemicals that block the bug's ability to detect carbon dioxide, the reason bugs bite.

If these receptors are blocked, chiggers will be less likely to continue to go towards the area.

In simple terms, DEET helps prevent chiggers from recognizing plants as their food or home and instead causes them to go elsewhere. If chiggers don't identify any food sources, they will either die off due to lack of resources or be prompted to move elsewhere.

That's why continuously applying DEET is an effective method to get chiggers to leave your garden alone. However, DEET alone isn't enough to deter chiggers from your yard.

DEET needs to be paired with poisonous chemicals to kill the remaining bugs and eggs. If you only apply a DEET solution, then it's likely chiggers will return to the area once the repellant wears off.

Even if the bug population doesn't come back, the chigger eggs will hatch and cause more to be born in the area.

Permethrin and Pyrethrum Insecticides

Permethrin and pyrethrum are insecticides known for killing insects and their eggs. They have similar chemical compositions, but they are different.

Permethrin is a synthetic chemical used to kill off insect populations. It is available in various creams, lotions, sprays, and powders.

It is not dangerous to use around adults, kids, and most pets. The only type of pets it is highly toxic to is aquatic pets, such as frogs and fish.

Although you should only apply permethrin in specific doses; otherwise, it can cause health concerns. It can also kill off most pest types but can be highly damaging to other helpful insects in the area.

You won't want to use permethrin around honey bee populations or other insects. Otherwise, it's a good choice for killing off chiggers in your yard.

On the other hand, pyrethrum is a natural insecticide found within a specific genus of flowers. Chrysanthemums naturally create pyrethrum to help repel certain insects from eating and breeding on them.

This chemical is then extracted from the flowers and turned into potent insecticides.

Of all natural insecticides, this is the most effective one against chiggers. It is also safe to use around other animals and children, as it isn't as lethal or harsh.

Although, if exposed to the pyrethrum, one can experience itchy skin, runny nose, and asthma symptoms. So, be sure to follow the product's specific dosage and distribution instructions.

Other Insecticide Chemicals That May Be Effective

Among other insecticides, you'll also be able to use different chemicals which have been known to be somewhat effective.

Generally, we'd only recommend these chemicals if there isn't a large population of chiggers, to begin with.

Bifenthrin is the most effective of the three. Still, cyfluthrin and esfenvalerate have also been known to get rid of and kill chiggers.

Cyfluthrin

Cyfluthrin is a synthetic pyrethroid that is known to imitate pyrethrum. The benefit of cyfluthrin is that it stays active longer than pyrethrum and has around 90 days of killing power after one application.

In most cases, cyfluthrin can be found in different formulas such as wettable powders, liquids, emulsifiable concentrates, granules, and aerosol treatments. How it works is as a poison via either physical contact or ingestion, making it quicker to metabolize and killing off the insects quicker.

Once metabolized, the chemical excites the nervous system and sends the insect into paralysis, which prevents them from eating, grooming, and more.

The major downside of cyfluthrin is that it's a harsh chemical and shouldn't be used on gardens or edible plants. It also needs to be diluted and should only be used in areas where other animals, pets, or children can't reach.

When handling cyfluthrin, you'll also want to wear eye and glove protection to prevent any side effects.

Esfenvalerate

Esfenvalerate is a synthetic pyrethroid known to kill insects rapidly but with a low-toxicity formula. It's mainly used to control many insects but is helpful against chiggers. Most professionals prefer this product due to its ability to work on multiple bug populations.

Like cyflluthrin, esfenvalerate induces paralysis and prevents chiggers from going about their day. Hence, it's a quick fix for getting rid of large bug populations.

Although, you won't be able to use esfenvalerate on gardens or edible plants. It's also dangerous to be sprayed around pets but can be used safely indoors.

Bifenthrin

Bifenthrin is a pyrethroid insecticide known for being effective against 75 different pests. Similar to cyfluthrin and esfenvalerate, it mimics the effects of the pyrethrum and attacks the bug's nervous system.

Unlike the other two, bifenthrin is available in low diluted concentrations due to its potency.

There are two types of bifenthrin on the market: Bifenthrin IT and Bifen LP. These chemical compounds are known for having a residual effect of up to 90 days, which is perfect for killing off chigger populations. They can be used indoors and outdoors without any drawbacks.

Bifenthrin is effective but doesn't provide an instant kill compared to other insecticides. Instead, it will take up to 10 minutes after a chigger is infected to kill them off.

Also, bifethrin should not be used on a garden or any edible plants.

How to Get Rid of Chiggers Using Insecticide

To effectively get rid of a chigger infestation, you're going to have to complete a few steps.

It's essential to know where the chiggers are nesting, how much of their population, and what other insects are present in the area. Then, after choosing an insecticide, you'll likely need to clear the area and prep it for spraying.

Here we'll demonstrate the steps you should take to use insecticide to get rid of chiggers.

Step No. 1: Monitor Hot Spots

The first step to getting rid of an infestation is finding where the insects are coming from.

To find chiggers, you'll need to use a six-inch square of black cardboard and place it near the edge of your lawn.

After waiting a few minutes, pull the cardboard out and look for tiny red, yellow, or pink colored dots. If you see dots, these are likely small chiggers that are either young or growing.

Chiggers will usually spread out, so testing multiple parts of your yard can help you find where they are mainly nesting. They tend to prefer damp and shaded areas thick with vegetation, so these areas are best to test.

Step No. 2: Choose and Apply Insecticide

Most insecticides require diluting the solution by mixing one to five tablespoons of product with a gallon of water. However, each product is different and will depend on what type of form of insecticide you're using.

For example, sprays may already come ready to spray compared to granules or solutions. Be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging to get the most accurate method to handle safely and apply insecticides to your yard.

Spray the insecticide or distribute it evenly across all contaminated plants by spraying it three feet above the affected area. Make sure to get both the leaves and roots.

You may also apply insecticides to any cracks chiggers may be living in.

Step No. 3: Wait and Reapply if Necessary

Depending on what insecticide you use, you will want to wait a few weeks before applying a second round. Most insecticides last up to two to three weeks.

However, some more lethal insecticides may last up to 90 days. If you're unsure when to reapply, check the specific instructions listed on the product.

Getting Rid of Chiggers Effectively

Chiggers multiply and reproduce within one week, so taking care of an infestation is the best way to save your yard. Understanding the different types of insecticides can help you find one that suits your specific situation.

Hopefully, we've helped you understand what insecticide kills chiggers in your yard.