Chiggers, A Hard Lesson Learned

[Gordo 56]

Chigger Map of United States Chigger Concentration Locations

Thanks creeekbend, I saw this. Looks like the midsouth and Midwest are chigger havens.

 

[Gordo 56]

Well, I can certainly empathize the uncomfortable nature of chiggers. Being #4 of 5 brothers semi annual visits to "granny's farm" always involved skinny dipping. One time we just threw our clothes on the grass and jumped in the Warrior River and had a great time. We got out and put our underwear, cut offs and t shirts and went about the business of exploring the woods and hills of north Alabama. The next day chiggers had infested our privates and let me tell you I wouldn't wish that in anyone. If the CIA had used chiggers instead of water boarding they'd probably know far more than they did back then. That was no fun. After 3 days of itching craziness granny unveiled her 100% cure for chiggers......zippo lighter fluid! Of course we were all raw from scratching the itch. When that lighter fluid hit the privates I think I could have outrun a Harley 1200 at least for 1/8 of a mile. Man that burned! Next day no chiggers. I don't recommend granny's solution to anyone. The luffa, hot water, and repellent sounds far more ergonomic than zippo.

Thanks gor sharing this VonD my wife and I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. Great story.

 

[Egbert]

Let's hear it for Permethrin! This stuff is as close to bullet-proof as you will ever get.

Skip the Sawyer and head directly to your coop or feed store. You'll get higher concentrations that will dilute into gallons for far less $$$ than Sawyer.

I soak all the clothes I use on the farm with Permethrin diluted to .0025 percent - 1/4 of 1 percent. One treatment will last at least 6 machine washings.

 

[Gordo 56]

I also had poison oak before and I say chiggers are about the same for itch factor except you get a more creepy factor because they are a bug and you think they still are on you.

Sheesh, these things sound almost as bad as poison oak!

 

[Gordo 56]

Bird, what would you rather have, chiggers or fire ants?

The clear fingernail polish use to work for me better than anything else. But fortunately, we haven't had a chigger problem in many years. Some say it's because the fire ants killed them all, and of course I don't know whether that's right or not; just glad to not have to suffer from those things.

 

[Gordo 56]

Thanks Egbert, we may try Permethrin.

 

[two_bit_score]

Here was the folk's stock remedy if the 'red bugs' got us:
http://www.campho.com/img/main_index.jpg

Good ole Campho phenique! It burns a little at first if you have scratched the area but that goes away quickly and it stops the itch pretty well.

Like everyone says prevention is worth a pound of cure. Sulphur, including sulphur tablets, worked about as good as anything and keeps ticks off too.

I recall going with my dad to look at a farm he was considering buying and we got covered by 'seed ticks'. We forever referred to that place as the 'tick farm'. Nice place and had a real nice artesian well on it. Once we got aware of how to prevent the ticks it was OK.