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Ray Eklund · 01-10-2015, 02:19 PM

Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas... Texas has some of the most aggressive flesh attacking carnivores known in the lower 48 States! I would have to believe that the Texas Trombiculidae are a foot across!

No, not armadillo.
No, not black bear, coyote, fox, skunk (maybe skunk), opossum, raccoon...
Nope, nope and nope...

These critters are silent. They travel stealth. You are not aware that you have supported a dozen or a hundred of these voracious flesh seekers. They are in the grass. They are to be found among fleas, ticks and sand fleas...

CHIGGERS- mites that attack also snakes, turtles, pets, birds... and the most delicious, but not preferred... humans.

The thought of being swarmed by chiggers will produce nightmares. It takes a week to ten days to get the swelling and oozing under control. You want to sit on some steps in "chigger country"? You are a risk taker? You will not have to ask again what is a... chigger. You will know. You will not forget.

How to avoid chiggers? That is not my purpose. I want you to be terrified of this pin point sized burrowers of human flesh. This thread is for those who have discovered:

-How to AVOID be eaten alive by chiggers
-How to REDUCE the itching and oozing of chigger burrows
-What to avoid in... Chigger country

Since we will be finally... be leaving soon on our extended Southwest trip... you will have to participate. You are safe now... but Spring, Summer and Fall will be here and so will be the... chiggers.

slowmover · 01-10-2015, 02:28 PM

Sulfur powder

Lily&Me · 01-10-2015, 02:31 PM

Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray........

'Tis a long and cold and very dull winter for you.

Maggie

Ray Eklund · 01-10-2015, 02:35 PM

Maggie... when camped in the targeted States... apply an expensive French Perfume and curse the idea of chiggers even being mentioned. Or, a perfumed soap is also like an open buffet for my little .... buddies.

Loading the trailer today. Looking for two dry weather days next week and my sanity will be restored.

terryV · 01-10-2015, 02:53 PM

Hmmm, never had much of a problem with chiggers. We always sprayed for them.

Fire ants now can be a problem if you don't watch where you walk or sit.

Ray Eklund · 01-10-2015, 03:07 PM

I did give Maggie some advice HOW to attract these Devils for tent campers.

I propose some tests to see what can repel them:

-Drinking a bottle of Two Buck Chuck from Trader's Joes fine selection, versus a fine California wine for $120 a bottle. Test and Repeat for an effective result.

-Large brewery 12 ounce bottled beer OR a local brew pub growler of beer.

-Chocolate... dark versus milk chocolate

-Now, understand this IS a scientific study and for research purposes. Your participation is not required, but could have great side benefits.

You must sit among a chigger infested "feeding area" AFTER the study material has been circulated into your system. This would be the STATES mentioned earlier.

My past research indicated that the brew pub growler group will find the best results. It does work in the Rocky Mountains and seemed to have killed them off. In Wyoming... it did not... work as an affirmative chemical defense against mosquitos. Insect repellant was effective for other no see 'ems, but not a substitute for micro brewed repellants.

I may have to find some "remedies" in southwest Arizona to confirm my first results.

Lumatic · 01-10-2015, 03:16 PM

Jeez, am I glad I live in New Mexico where I only have to worry about rattlesnakes.

SteveH · 01-10-2015, 03:20 PM

To ward them off, use "Off" on your feet and ankles before going out into the grass.

To stop the sting and itch if you forgot the "Off", nothing better than Ammonia dabbed onto the bite area.

I know these things because we have them bad in the spring, worst in June.

DaveFL · 01-10-2015, 04:01 PM

Don't have to walk through deep grass, riding a two rut trail, thin skinned dw picked up a few by brushing the edge bushes when I advised her to move closer to side to keep out of the deep sand.
Once under the skin they tend to move around in the middle of the night, with good light and a magnifying glass you can spot the critters as small black or red dots. like these............

Ag&Au · 01-10-2015, 04:31 PM

I used to work with a fellow who was about 5'4" and had bright red hair. One of the guys nick-named him "Chigger", because he was "small, red and annoying." Unfortunately for him, it stuck. So far he's the only one I've ever seen.

Ken

**Stefrobrts** · 01-10-2015, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveFL

Don't have to walk through deep grass, riding a two rut trail, thin skinned dw picked up a few by brushing the edge bushes when I advised her to move closer to side to keep out of the deep sand.
Once under the skin they tend to move around in the middle of the night, with good light and a magnifying glass you can spot the critters as small black or red dots. like these............

Ok, I've decided I'm never visiting the South, thanks!

Lily&Me · 01-10-2015, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

Maggie... when camped in the targeted States... apply an expensive French Perfume and curse the idea of chiggers even being mentioned. Or, a perfumed soap is also like an open buffet for my little .... buddies.

Loading the trailer today. Looking for two dry weather days next week and my sanity will be restored.

I had chiggers on and in my legs just once.

I was told to put bleach in the bathtub (a quarter cup or so) and sit in it for 10 minutes. Killed the little buggers dead. The end.

Worse and more determined, IMO, are the vicious little no-see-ums of the south. Horrible little things that love my skin and my scalp.

I'm sure you'll be happy to get on the road.

Maggie

DFlores · 01-10-2015, 04:55 PM

Spray clothing (pants) with Permanom sp? , allow to pants to dry before putting them on. This is the preventative approach.

Once they get you, best treatment is bleach in a bath tub of water then sit in it, they will die, itching will not go away immediately

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David & Diane

mimiandrews · 01-10-2015, 05:04 PM

Dust your shoes & socks with sulfur powder before you go into that lush, green, beautiful grass in the late spring and early summer. Doesn't smell great, but it works.

slowmover · 01-10-2015, 05:30 PM

Tuck your pants into boots after dusting socks and then dust from knee down.

Keep open bag of sulfur on tray inside and next to door.

Ron A · 01-10-2015, 05:31 PM

If you're lucky enough to get them dip with fingernail polish. Any color will do. If you live in the south you likely have had them at one time or another in your life.

Ron

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Rich W · 01-10-2015, 05:44 PM

Here's the real skinny on chiggers. There are a lot of myths and misconceptions, there is some very good information at this site.
Caution: they show people with a lot of bites, makes me itch just looking at them. I've had them once and that was enough. Lots of repellant for me in the woods and fields now.

Chigger Bites: Treatment, Prevention, and Symptoms

trecilla · 01-11-2015, 12:40 PM

Yes, a dab of fingernail polish on each affected area will stop the itch; doesn't matter the color.

polarlyse · 01-11-2015, 12:48 PM

Not ONLY found in the south. Plenty of them in Missouri and Kansas. I second the sulfur powder. Are they also found in the desert southwest areas ???? Seems to be mostly in grassland and forested areas that I'm aware of.

NavyCorpsman · 01-11-2015, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

I had chiggers on and in my legs just once.

I was told to put bleach in the bathtub (a quarter cup or so) and sit in it for 10 minutes. Killed the little buggers dead. The end.

Worse and more determined, IMO, are the vicious little no-see-ums of the south. Horrible little things that love my skin and my scalp.

I'm sure you'll be happy to get on the road.

Maggie

You are absolutely right. We have what we call "Flying Teeth" around here. Absolutely invisible. Without Mercy. I'd rather be stung by bees.