If you've ever stepped outside to enjoy a summer afternoon in Nashville only to find yourself covered in itchy red welts hours later, chances are you've encountered chiggers. These nearly invisible pests are notorious for turning pleasant outdoor time into an uncomfortable, irritating experience.
At All Pest Solutions, we frequently hear from homeowners dealing with chigger outbreaks in their lawns, gardens, and wooded areas. Thankfully, with the right strategy, you can reduce or eliminate chiggers in your yard and reclaim your outdoor spaces.
This guide covers practical, Nashville-specific tips for getting rid of chiggers and preventing their return.
What Are Chiggers, Exactly?
Chiggers are the larval stage of a mite in the Trombiculidae family. Although tiny—less than 1/150th of an inch—they pack a punch. Chiggers attach to the skin of humans and animals, inject digestive enzymes, and feed on liquefied skin cells. Contrary to popular myth, they don’t burrow into your skin.
In Middle Tennessee, chiggers are especially active during warm, humid months—typically late spring through early fall—making summer their prime season.
Why Are Chiggers a Problem in Nashville?
Nashville’s hot, humid climate and mix of wooded areas, tall grasses, and overgrown vegetation provide the perfect environment for chiggers to thrive. Urban and suburban neighborhoods aren’t immune—yards with shaded areas, dense landscaping, or excessive moisture are prime real estate for these pests.
Once chiggers move in, every walk through the backyard can lead to itching, irritation, and frustration.
Signs You Have Chiggers in Your Yard
Since chiggers are nearly invisible, you won’t spot them crawling around. Instead, you’ll notice their presence through:
- Red, itchy welts in clusters, often on ankles, waistbands, or behind knees
- Itching that starts several hours after being outdoors
- Repeated bites after spending time in the same outdoor areas
If these symptoms are familiar, it's time to take action.
How to Get Rid of Chiggers in Your Nashville Yard
Eliminating chiggers takes a combination of yard maintenance, environmental control, and targeted treatments. Here’s what works best for Nashville-area homes:
Chiggers thrive in tall grasses and overgrown areas. Keep your lawn mowed to a height of 3 inches or less, and trim bushes, shrubs, and other dense vegetation where chiggers can hide.
2. Remove Leaf Litter and Yard Debris
Piles of leaves, grass clippings, and mulch beds offer moist, shaded environments where chiggers love to live. Rake and dispose of debris, especially around garden beds, fences, and wooded borders.
3. Create a Dry Zone Around Your Home
Chiggers avoid hot, dry, open areas. By creating a buffer zone of mulch, gravel, or wood chips between your lawn and wooded areas or fences, you reduce the chance of chiggers migrating into your main yard.
Overwatering can increase soil moisture and encourage chigger activity. Water early in the morning to allow for drying during the day, and avoid watering shady areas that don’t receive much sunlight.
Small mammals like rodents, raccoons, and squirrels can carry chiggers into your yard. Use fencing, eliminate bird feeders, and avoid leaving pet food outside to make your yard less attractive to wildlife.
Certain essential oils—like citronella, eucalyptus, and tea tree—may help deter chiggers. While not a long-term solution, using sprays or granules containing these ingredients can help reduce activity in specific areas.
While DIY measures help, they often don’t fully eliminate a chigger infestation. At All Pest Solutions, we offer professional chigger control services that treat the problem at its source.
Our targeted, eco-friendly treatments focus on:
- Identifying high-risk areas in your yard
- Reducing populations through proven control methods
- Creating a treatment plan that fits your specific property and usage
- Offering seasonal protection during peak chigger activity
How to Prevent Future Infestations
Once chiggers are gone, consistent maintenance can keep them from coming back. We recommend:
- Scheduling seasonal yard inspections
- Continuing to mow, trim, and manage debris
- Applying follow-up treatments during the summer
- Monitoring known hot spots like shaded garden beds or wood piles
And if you're unsure where to start, All Pest Solutions is here to help guide you through every step of the process.
Enjoy a Chigger-Free Summer in Nashville
There’s no reason your backyard should be off-limits during the summer. While chiggers are a common problem in Middle Tennessee, they don’t have to be a permanent one.
Whether you’re already facing an outbreak or want to take proactive steps before one starts, All Pest Solutions has the experience, tools, and local knowledge to protect your yard from chiggers and other biting pests.
Contact us today to schedule a chigger inspection or learn more about our seasonal pest control services—and take back your outdoor space, once and for all.
