They may be orange, yellow or straw-colored. They are most known for the severe itching they can cause. Only the larval form of the mite bites humans. After five to seven days, the chiggers hatch. They crawl over vegetation until they find a shaded area near the top of an object that is close to the ground, like a fallen leaf or a blade of grass.
Chiggers then wait for a suitable host.
They are attracted to the carbon dioxide exhaled by the host. Once on a host, chiggers usually crawl around on the body before settling down. On animals, chiggers are likely to attach themselves in areas without fur. On humans, chiggers tend to accumulate in areas where clothing is tight, such as a belt at the waist or socks around the ankle. They pierce skin around hair follicles and release skin-dissolving saliva.