Thousands in Illinois Have Itchy Bites from Nearly Invisible Pest

I am not a fan of the many cicadas and ticks you find in Illinois, but at least you can see those bugs. There's a nearly invisible one that is apparently responsible for thousands of people in Illinois who are saying they're experiencing super-itchy bites from a pest that you can almost never see.

I saw this post on the Illinois sub-Reddit talking about a mite that is related to this year's cicada invasion.

Yo what the HELL, CICADA MITES?!
byu/ShutUpRedditor44 inillinois

The story they're pointing to is from USA Today about Oak Leaf Itch Mites. Their bites are vicious and numerous and yes, they itch big time.

It appears these microscopic mites fall from trees onto humans and then the biting begins followed by the itching. They reportedly normally feed on cicada eggs and the fact that Illinois had record broods of cicadas has inspired these mites to go feasting on people now that the cicadas are more or less gone and/or disappearing.

Whatever you do, don't itch these bites if you get them from Oak Leaf Itch Mites. Nasty bacterial infections can result. Instead, use itch relief medications like Cortizone.

The good news is that as the temperatures begin to drop in September, these mites will relent. However, until then...cover your arms and legs when outside near trees...or else.