A commonly known nemesis of the soak seeker, the Red Spider Mite (RSM) inhabits a few natural hot springs. Barely visible to the naked eye, these tiny crimson mites scurry about on top of warm rocks and hot water in and around select hot springs throughout the Western US.
The Red Spider Mite Effect
Red Spider Mites typically cling to the body (including clothing/towels in the proximity of the pools) and proceed to bite the skin in an unsuccessful attempt to lay eggs. The bites leave itchy red sores behind that usually heal completely after a couple of weeks. It is highly advisable to use itch relief cream and avoid scratching the bites. The human immune system kills off the eggs before they can hatch and eventually builds up enough immunity to kill off the mites themselves after a few days or so.
Note: Scratching bites during the first few days of proceeding contact with RSMs can result in additional bites. It seems that agitating the skin, in turn, agitates the RSMs.
Red Spider Mite Precautionary Measures
Keep your towel and gear far away from the hot springs pools and surrounding rocks. Hang your pack, clothes and towel off a tree limb and make a dash for it. At least this way they won’t be waiting for you on your towel and clothes post soak.
Use bug juice, ideally of the natural and lotion assortment, but only after your soak – no need to pollute the water with that junk. Plus, RSMs usually wait to dig in until their host has dry skin, applying bug juice after soaking should reduce your chances of receiving bites.
Red Spider Mite Treatment
Once bitten by RSMs (trust me, you’ll know), treatment involves copious amounts of anti-itch cream, as itching the bites early on can set recovery back significantly and may result in additional bites. Take it easy, sleep, stay hydrated, eat and don’t forget the itch cream!
Hot Springs with Reported Red Spider Mites
| Select State |
California Hot Springs with Red Spider Mites
Benton Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level – Moderate
Eagleville Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level – Moderate
Ecotopia (Ojai) Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level – Moderate
Fort Bidwell Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level – Moderate
Sespe Hot Springs
RSM Activity Level: Hight
Confirmed by hot springers – 2 confirmations
Travertine Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: High
Tecopa Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level – Moderate
Idaho Hot Springs with Red Spider Mites
Atlanta Hot Springs
Confirmed by guide book and hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: High
Bear Valley Hot Springs
Confirmed by self and hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: High
Boiling Springs Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level – Moderate
Bridge Hot Springs in Pine, Idaho
Confirmed by hot springer – single confirmation
RSM Activity Level – Moderate
Buckhorn Hot Springs
Confirmed by self and hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: Low
Burgdorf Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: High
Chattanooga Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: High
Granite Creek Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springer – couple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: Low
Hot Springs Campground
Confirmed by self and hot springer – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: Low-Moderate
Kirkham Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
Upper Pools RSM Activity Level: High
Lower Pools RSM Activity Level: Low-None
Notes: I have soaked at the lower pools many MANY times without a single bite
Loftus Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: High
Molly’s Hot Spring
Confirmed by self and hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: Moderate
Prince Albert Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: High
Rocky Canyon Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: Moderate-High
Secesh Hot Springs
Confirmed by self and hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: Low
Sheepeater Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: High
Trail Flat Hot Springs
RSM Activity Level: Moderate
Confirmed by hot springers – 2 confirmations
Vulcan Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: Moderate
Note: There is a possibility that RSMs are being confused with ‘Chiggers’
Whitey Cox Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: High
Willow Creek Hot Springs
Confirmed by self and hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: Low
Worswick Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: Moderate-High
Nevada Hot Springs with Red Spider Mites
Black Rock Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: High
Bog Hot Springs
Confirmed by self and hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: Moderate
Hobo Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – single confirmation
RSM Activity Level: Moderate
Ruby Valley (Smith Ranch) Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: High
Soldier Meadows Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: Moderate
Oregon Hot Springs with Red Spider Mites
Bagby Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – 2 confirmations
RSM Activity Level – Moderate
Greeley Bar Hot Springs (Lower Owyhee River)
Confirmed by hot springers – single confirmation
RSM Activity Level – Moderate
Hart Mountain Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: Moderate
Ryegrass Hot Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: Moderate
Three Forks Warm Springs
Confirmed by hot springers – multiple confirmations
RSM Activity Level: Moderate
Washington Hot Springs with Red Spider Mites
No Washington reports.
Report Red Spider Mites
Please leave a comment below or submit a report!
Tecopah has RSM and they even have signs about it!
I have bites all over my body after going to bagby hot springs! It’s incredibly bothersome…