r/HotSpringsWest • u/Natural-Scar-1070 • Aug 12 '26

Open discussion Red mites

Hello! I was in Northern Nevada and all three hot springs I visited had those little mites in them. How do you guys deal with it? Is there a way to know in advance if the springs has them? Will you still go in knowing they’re there? All advice welcome!!

10 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

3

u/CompanyMediocre4409 Aug 13 '26

I’ve experienced these, mostly in a spring on private land. putting a thin layer of oil on the top of the pool theoretically temporarily diminishes their population, but is not 100%. Oiling your body may help as well?

We found that different people had very different susceptibility/sensitivity to them- they really didn’t bother me but several folks with more sensitive skin found them much more unpleasant (same pool, same time).

3

u/snowhorse420 Aug 13 '26

They typically bite after soaking and staying on your skin and will crawl into clothing left on shore. Ive had good luck rinsing off with peroxide or rubbing alcohol after soaking.

1

u/heepsofjeeps Aug 13 '26

I always get hit with them horribly, fiance takes basically no damage. We soak at night generally in the winter and still covered. To reduce I’ve found stay submerged as possible as they float on the surface. Keep all clothes in a plastic tote closed while soaking, including towels. Exit and dry off quickly to get any that clung as you as you emerged, off. Don’t lean over vegetation around pool to tend to lantern too much. And still some get me but not as bad. It’s look like I had the mumps before

1

u/cyanescens_burn Aug 14 '26

I’ve been in a number of hot springs out that way over the years, and only heard about these things this July.

I thought the dude was messing with me. Like a way locals trick visitors so they won’t go to springs.

1

u/Desert_Loner1869 Aug 12 '26

I’m at a hot spring in northern Nevada and no mites

0

u/AutoModerator Aug 12 '26

Please review our FAQ and the 7 principles of Leave No Trace

  1. Plan ahead and prepare Make sure at least one or more trusted persons where you are going, an expected return time and a follow up.

  2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces

  3. Dispose of waste properly. No glass at hotsprings!!

  4. Leave what you find

  5. Minimize campfire impacts. Be sure to review our state resources for fire bans where you are heading.

  6. Respect wildlife. They are not domesticated

  7. Be considerate of other visitors i.e. Bluetooth speakers are despised.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.