Types

• Chiggers or red bugs are common in many yards. These small insects rarely are seen, but their bites often are felt. Other types of biting lawn insects include imported fire ants, thrips and ticks.
  
  

Effects

• Chiggers cause severe itching and red welts on the skin by sucking fluid from their hosts, according to P.G. Koehler at the University of Florida Extension. Imported fire ants aggressively attack humans and animals and leave itchy, burning, painful stings. Thrips also leave painful bites, while ticks attach to people and animals with their mouth parts to suck blood. Ticks are especially dangerous because they transmit serious diseases.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• Remove chiggers from the skin by taking a hot shower and washing with soap. Clear out brush and mow the areas where insects are found. Reduce fire ant populations with broadcast baiting, barrier or spot treatments, and individual mound treatments. Use pesticides to eradicate ticks and thrips.