How do I combat chiggers?

DanD78 · Jul 20, 2011

When I get them around where my socks were tight I will scratch the area till it get a little relief then cover the area with Asorbine Jr.. Burns like heck for a little bit but is a one time treatment in my case.

Dan

Workstead · Jul 20, 2011

This sure is an interesting topic and I've learned a lot. I was surprised to see that no one suggested a wad of wet chewing tabacca' on the itchy spots.

Thanks for your contributions. This is like sitting in front of the feed store and getting real life input from the old timers.

One thing I have gotten from a doctor friend of mine, after my ankles were scratched raw and were getting infected, was to mix triple antibiotic and Preparation H in a 50/50 ratio and putting that on the affected/infected areas. It not only helped the infection but also helped the itch - for a short while.

Thank you one and all.

Clem

Still recovering and now with a list of things to try to get relief in Arkansas.
The best suggestion was to stay indoors! :laughing:

Wattsleft · Jul 20, 2011

Calamine is ok if that's all you have, but there are a couple of over the counter products that seem to work for me. Chiggarid and Iveydry. Chiggarid is basically like clear fingernail polish. Burns like four yards of Texas asphalt, cure is as bad as the cause.. Ivey dry is a clear spray that is great for poision and works just as well on bug bite. It is not too smelly, burns only alittle, and stops the itch FAST!!
It contains antihistamines,which stop the itch. You can also try taking Claritin or benedril. Both contain antihistimes and help control the itch..
I also spray my shoes,pants legs, etc with a DEET repellant. DEET was designed for the military to combat bugs in the jungles. I started using it bowhunting and have never stopped. Pure DEET (from the surplus store) can make you dizzy. I would reccomend a outdoors store brand(like Gander Mt or Bass Pro) with a smaller percentage of the stuff.
Hope this helps....

beppington · Jul 20, 2011

Workstead said:
This is like sitting in front of the feed store and getting real life input from the old timers.

Hey watch it!!! I'm only 42! :laughing:

Workstead · Jul 20, 2011

beppington said:
Hey watch it!!! I'm only 42! :laughing:

Then you must be catching it from the ones your are hanging around with

foggy1111 · Jul 20, 2011

For tics.....We have really good success with permathin (permanon) based products on our clothes. I am told it works on chiggars too.

We have bought a Repel brand for gear and clothes......and it's proved to be the best thing since sliced-bread. We wont go into the woods without treating our clothes first.....and it lasts for weeks...even after washing your clothes once (we have not risked more washings).

Always read and follow label directions. :thumbsup:

This year we have used Absorbine JR for gnats, dryer sheets for gnats and flying bugs, Permathin, Deet Products and Skin So Soft. Geesh.....what did the settlers do? :confused2:

beppington · Jul 20, 2011

foggy1111 said:
Geesh.....what did the settlers do? :confused2:

Built this country with one hand. While the other was scratching.

r8nger · Jul 21, 2011

Interesting read, are chiggers around in the northeast , ct? I've been itching around my ankles and knees after working in the garden, or feels like poison ivy, but I haven't been around it, I don't think.

CharlieS · Jul 21, 2011

Workstead
Being just north of you around Paragould, i can certainly sympathize with you as this seems to be a bad year for chiggers.
What i've found works best for me is first off, spray the potentially exposed skin with a good insect repellant, deep woods off for example.
next i spray my clothing with a high quality horse spray. any that contain pyrethrins will work, (i use Pyranha) but spray it only on the outer clothing, sock cuffs, pant cuffs, around the waist, and so on. (as a plus its one of the best i've found for the horses too)
Dont forget shirt collars and hats also.
As long as i remember this procedure i get very few chigger "bites".
If i've been out in the grass, i try to shower asap when i come in, try spraying yourself down with a household cleaner such as 409 then soap down and rinse. the ammonia in the household cleaner helps kill off any chiggers or ticks. and don't forget to not put the same clothing back on, as it could have stray chiggers looking for a meal.
the best i've found to temporarily kill the sting and itch of bites is absorbine jr. and i've heard preperation H is effective in numbing the bites though i havn't tried it.