Chiggers have little to do with forage, but the following  article is interesting about these tiny nuisances. They are the immature stage of certain mites that live in overgrown brushy or grassy areas, especially where small rodents are abundant. People pick up chiggers while in shady, humid areas near stream banks, under or around trees, or in berry thickets. Chiggers are more active in early summer but can persist much later.

Once on board, chiggers attach and feed where the skin is thin, tender, or wrinkled, or where clothing is tight. Their digestive enzymes liquefy skin cells causing small red welts and intense itching that begins a few hours after chiggers have fed. Chiggers do not burrow into the skin or feed on blood. If undisturbed, these mites may remain attached and feed for 3 or 4 days. Read about personal protection, reducing discomfort from bites and controlling chiggers outdoors at Kentucky Pest News.

~ Lee Townsend and Mike Potter, UK Entomology Dept.