If you want to discover how to get rid of chiggers and how to cure that awful itch they leave behind you need to keep reading this article.
There is a maxim or cliche about something being the “mother of …” . If you have ever had or ever do get chigger bites you will know what the “mother of all itches” is all about.
Never has anything so small ever been known to cause so much misery for so long as the infamous chigger bite. It is amazing the history books do not contain volumes about the horrible itch chiggers engender.
Getting rid of chiggers is much more difficult than avoiding them. And avoiding them is not all together easy if you are going to leave the confines of your couch and venture into the wild outdoors. If you are prone to bouts of adventurism, then take heed and pay attention. Avoidance is the best chigger treatment known to man or beast.
If you have never seen a chigger, the odds of you ever seeing one is slim to none. They are almost invisible to the human eye. Make no mistake about it though, just because they are small does not mean they are something you will not be reckoning with if you ever get bitten.
It takes several hours after a chigger hops on before he can actually locate a feeding place to fasten on and several more hours before you will realize you have been nailed by the little critter. By then the harm is done and he is long gone. So don’t even think about getting even with him because he will not even be around for vengeance to be extracted.
Unlike a trick, when you become aware of him, you can at least crush the life out of him or burn him at the stake.
Getting rid of chiggers is much easier if you do not get them in the first place. Chiggers like to hang out in the woody shaded areas anywhere it is warm and on the ends of bush leaves and tall grass blades in the meadows and grass lands. They are also pretty sociable so they like to hang out in colonies. So if you find one you may find a colony.
Wear loose fit, tight woven, light colored clothes. Tuck the britches into your boots or your socks and wear long sleeve shirts.
Avert the areas where chiggers hang out and if you do go there, brush off every couple of hours to keep them from finding holes in your garments.
Insect repellents are applicable, but do not leave them on your skin and for heaven’s sake do not put them on children. DEET is the most active ingredient used in nearly all repellents and it is known to cause serious side effects even years down the road. Be safe, not sorry.
If you chose to use DEET apply it only to your clothing and wash it off of yourself as soon as viable if you do get in on you.
Sulfur is available from the drug store. Pat yourself down with it using an old sock with the toe filled with it or a powder puff for ease of use.
Some oils like citronella are natural repellents and are not detrimental when applied to the skin.
Do not utilize scented soaps and deodorants and perfumes before going to the woods.
When returning from areas where chiggers may be, get your clothes in the washer with bleach and soap and lots of very hot water. Dry them on high heat or in bright sunlight.
Shower right away with hot water and soap and use a good scrub sponge to knock anything loose that has found its way into your hide.
When camping plant your tent where the sun shines and clear away all debris before setting it up and let the sun shine on the cleaned area for a few hours first if you can. Sprinkle sulfur around the ground or spray the ground with a solution of dish soap and water first and allow it dry for a While.
