Tick & Chigger Bites in Delaware: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe This Season

Spending time outside in Delaware this summer? Whether you’re hiking a wooded trail, playing with your dog in tall grass, or simply enjoying your backyard, you’re not alone out there. Ticks and chiggers are tiny outdoor pests that can cause major discomfort—and in the case of ticks, even serious illness.

Here’s what you need to know about the species lurking in Delaware’s natural areas, what they can do to you (and your pets), and how to protect yourself.

Tick Trouble in Delaware: Small Bites, Serious Risks

Delaware is home to at least five common tick species, with several others popping up occasionally. The most frequently encountered are

Common Tick Species in Delaware

Delaware is home to at least five commonly encountered tick species, with several others appearing occasionally. Here’s what you need to know:

Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum)

• Most common tick in Delaware, especially in Kent and Sussex Counties
  
• Active spring through early fall
  
• Can transmit Ehrlichiosis and may trigger Alpha-gal syndrome (red meat allergy)
• Recognizable by a white dot on females or white flecks on males

Deer Tick / Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes scapularis)

• Found statewide in forested and edge habitats
  
• Active year-round, especially adults in cooler months
  
• Can transmit Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis

American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis)

• Common in meadows and tall grasses
  
• Bites typically occur in late spring and summer
  
• Can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever
  
• Identified by a large body and pale, marbled scutum (shield)

Gulf Coast Tick (Amblyomma maculatum)

• Found in meadows and wetlands
  
• Known vector for Tidewater spotted fever

Longhorned Tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis)

• Rarely bites humans but found on pets and livestock
  
• Not currently linked to diseases in the U.S., but causes illness elsewhere
  
• Mostly found in New Castle and Kent Counties

Other Rare Tick Species in DE: Winter tick, rabbit tick, squirrel tick, groundhog tick, raccoon tick, brown dog tick, bat tick, and more. These rarely bite humans but are worth noting.

Tick-Associated Diseases in Delaware

Lyme Disease

• Delaware had 346 confirmed cases in 2020.
• Carried by blacklegged/deer ticks.
• Early signs: fever, fatigue, body aches, and the classic bullseye rash.

Ehrlichiosis

• Transmitted by the lone star tick.
• Symptoms: fever, body aches, nausea, and rash.

Anaplasmosis

• Spread by deer ticks.
• Similar symptoms to ehrlichiosis.

Babesiosis

• A protozoan infection (like malaria).
• Only 3 cases reported in 2020.
• Carried by deer ticks.

Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses

• Includes Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Tidewater spotted fever.
• Spread by American dog ticks and Gulf Coast ticks.
• Rash, fever, and gastrointestinal issues are common.

Alpha-Gal Syndrome

• A surprising tick-related meat allergy.
• Triggered by lone star tick bites.
• Can cause rash, hives, GI upset, and even anaphylaxis after eating beef or pork.

Tularemia

• Extremely rare (only 1 case in 2020).
• Can be transmitted by American dog ticks and lone star ticks.

Delaware does NOT offer tick pathogen  testing services. Diagnosis depends on symptoms, exposure, and your doctor’s judgment.

Chiggers: Invisible, Itchy, and (Mostly) Harmless

Ticks aren’t Delaware’s only outdoor menace. Meet the chigger, an invisible mite with a mighty itch.

What Are Chiggers?

• Also known as red bugs, berry bugs, or harvest mites.
• Tiny, red arachnids (like ticks—not insects).
• Only the larvae bite humans. Adults feed on plants and soil.

Where They Live

• Found in tall grass, fields, forests, brush, and around lakes.
• Thrive in hot, humid weather from late spring through early fall.

How Chiggers Bite

• They don’t burrow under skin (that’s a myth).
• They attach to thin, wrinkled areas like ankles, behind knees, waistbands.
• Their saliva digests skin cells, which they then drink like soup.

What Do Bites Look Like?

• Clusters of tiny red bumps, often forming lines.
• May resemble pimples or hives.
• Cause intense itching that can last for days.

Can Chiggers Make You Sick?

• In the U.S., chiggers don’t spread disease.
  
• However, in parts of Asia and Australia, they can transmit scrub typhus.

Treatment & Relief: What To Do If Bitten

For Ticks:

• Remove the tick with tweezers, gripping close to the skin.
• Clean bite area with soap and water.
• Watch for symptoms like fever, fatigue, or rash for up to 30 days.
• Call your doctor if symptoms develop.
• Seek care if a rash develops

For Chiggers:

• Take a hot shower and scrub skin to remove mites.
• Wash clothing, blankets, and towels in hot water.
• Use calamine lotion, hydrocortisone, or antihistamines for itching.
• Avoid scratching—open wounds can lead to infection.

Prevention Tips

Whether you’re hiking the state parks or mowing your lawn, prevention is your best defense.

Protect Yourself Outdoors:

• Wear long sleeves and pants; tuck pants into socks.
• Apply EPA-registered repellents with DEET or permethrin.
• Stay on clear, maintained trails and avoid brushy edges.
• Shower after spending time outside.

Protect Your Pets:

• Use veterinarian-recommended tick prevention.
• Check ears, feet, belly, and neck after walks.
• Watch for excessive scratching or red patches.

Final Word: Awareness Is Protection

Ticks and chiggers may be tiny, but they’re a big deal if you’re not prepared. Fortunately, with the right knowledge and quick action, you can protect yourself, your family, and your pets from bites—and the illnesses that may follow.

Stay alert, stay covered, and don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare provider if symptoms arise.

Get Seen. Get Better. Get On Your Way.

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Resources & References

• • Delaware DNREC: Tick-Associated Diseases

  • Delaware DNREC: Common Ticks in Delaware

  • WebMD: Chigger Bites – Prevention & Treatment