Thrombiculae are not insects, but mite larvae. This means they belong to the same spider family! You can find them outdoors, in areas also inhabited by ticks. Contrary to tick bites, those of these parasites rarely carry disease. However, they can itch for a long time. You can avoid bites by taking some precautions when spending time outdoors. Usually, due to their tiny size, these mites are invisible to the naked eye; for this, learning to recognize their habitat and their behavior is the best way to avoid them.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Avoiding the Thrombicule Infested Areas
Step 1. Avoid the places where thrombiculae are most common
In Italy, these mites are more common in wetlands. In fact, they thrive in hot, scorching climates. Avoid walking in bushes or tall grass. Also stay away from swamps and wooded areas full of rotten leaves and piles of branches.
- Often, these mites wait in the undergrowth and low bushes until they are able to attach themselves to the small animals, which are their natural prey. Avoid bushes and vines that can graze your body, thus allowing the thrombicules to move around you.
- These mites rarely move far from where they were born, so they often populate humid and warm areas in large numbers.
Step 2. Sit down carefully
Avoid sitting or lying directly on the ground during the summer months. Instead, bring a folding chair or blanket to spread out under you. Also avoid leaning on logs or stumps. Look for dry, warm surfaces to stand on, such as stones exposed to direct sunlight.
Step 3. Plan your activities when these mites are least active
The trombicules, in spring and summer, attack especially in the afternoon, when the soil temperature reaches 25-30 ° C. They become inactive below 15.5 ° C and die at below 5.5 ° C. During warmer seasons, plan outdoor hikes when the weather is dry or cool.
Part 2 of 3: Keeping the Thrombicules Away From Your Body
Step 1. Dress to prevent thrombicula bites
Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts when walking through the habitat of these mites. Tight mesh fabrics with very few openings offer the best protection. Tuck the shirt into your pants so that no flaps of skin are exposed, as these arachnids often target the waist area. Also, they attack the thin skin of the ankles, groin, armpits, and back of the knees, so keep those areas covered.
Bring shoes and socks to avoid these mites bites on your feet and ankles. If you have to go through an area where the risk of being bitten by a trombicula is very high, such as a swamp, slip your pants into a pair of high socks, to prevent the parasites from crawling on your ankles
Step 2. Use mite repellent to protect yourself
Purchase a repellent that contains diethyltoluamide (DEET) or permethrin at a store that sells camping supplies. Spray it on the top of the socks, waist and ankles to prevent these parasites from crawling under your clothes.
- You can apply DEET to clothing or skin, but you should wash as soon as possible. Spray permethrin repellents only on clothing.
- Follow the instructions carefully when using permethrin and DEET. Permethrin can cause burning or itching if it comes into contact with the skin and DEET can do the same if it stays on the body for hours. These substances are not classified as human carcinogens.
- Look for specific lotions and sprays for mites and thrombiculae, as well as for ticks and mosquitoes.
Step 3. Apply sulfur
If you are concerned about the chemicals contained in common insecticides, you can try applying sulfur powder to clothing. However, be aware that they will smell like rotten eggs. You can buy this powder at a pharmacy or in stores that sell feed.
Step 4. Wash after coming into contact with these mites
Take a warm shower or bath shortly after going through an area where thrombicules may be present to remove any attached to your body. Contrary to popular belief, these parasites do not burrow into the skin and can be easily brushed or washed off the body. Rubbing yourself well with a towel can also help you get rid of them.
Wash your clothes after walking through a thrombicule-infested area. This will remove all the mites left on the fabrics, as well as any repellents you have applied
Part 3 of 3: Keeping Your Garden Thrombicule-Free
Step 1. Take care of the outside areas well
Mow tall grass to remove thrombicule-infested foliage. Also, by keeping the grass low, the sun will be able to penetrate your lawn, drying the grass and dirt. These mites are best found in humid environments and escape direct heat.
Step 2. Apply a mild insecticide to your lawn
Add about 60-90 ml of liquid soap to 5 liters of water and spray the solution on the areas near the bushes to reduce the population of thrombicula and other pests. He rarely uses chemical pesticides that contain permethrin, cyfluthrin, diazinone and carbaril, as they would also kill beneficial insects and other animals.
Step 3. Keep rodents away
Thrombiculae attach themselves to rodents and other small animals that live in bushes and woodpiles. Eliminate all bushes and wood debris from your garden. Use gardener gloves, then wash with soap and water after working in the garden. Install a fence if you can't limit the rodents in any other way.
Close lids on garbage cans tightly to avoid visits from small animals
Advice
- Some people believe that dark colors attract trombicules and insects. In the summer, wearing light-colored clothing can help you avoid these mites, as well as keeping you cooler when you are outside. Also, it will be easier to see the specimens that have attached themselves to you.
- Your pet is unlikely to be able to carry these mites.
Warnings
- If you develop a fever or notice swelling following a thrombicula bite, or if you are allergic to hydrocortisone or calamine ointments, see your doctor right away for the right treatment for the bite.
- Thrombicula bites usually cause only minor discomfort if they are treated right away with hydrocortisone or calamine ointments. Avoid scratching your wounds, otherwise you risk getting a bacterial infection.
