Anyone who's spent a few summers outside knows to watch out for ticks, but a smaller yet equally annoying creature will also latch on tight during a walk through the tall grass.

University of Georgia Cooperative Extension says chiggers reach peak population in mid-summer and remain active until fall. Here's what to know:

What are chiggers?

Chiggers, also known as trombiculidae, are a species of red mite that live outdoors in grassy or wooded areas near water, according to the Cleveland Clinic . Like spiders and ticks, they are also arachnids. They are already fairly small, but in larval stage, chiggers are nearly microscopic in size.

Do chiggers jump?

Chiggers don't jump like fleas. They are more like ticks in that they wait on vegetation, latch onto their hosts and climb up.

Do ch

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