Chigger bites cause severe itching .
The mites are found in the southern part of the U.S. and in other countries. They are usually restricted to certain habitats such as berry patches, tall grass and weeds, and woodland edges. The larvae attack humans around the waist, the ankles, or in warm skin folds. The itching usually occurs several hours after the larvae attach to the skin. The larvae can sometimes be seen in the center of a papule that has not been scratched.