We are surrounded by ticks and chiggers. We just have to learn to live with them. The dogs usually bring them in the house. The dogs are on Frontline but that only kills the ticks after the ticks bite the dog.
This time of year I just try to stay out of grass and woods. If I mow with the DR then I tuck the pant legs into my sock and spray with something with DEET in it. Used to soak the clothes in Permethrin but have not done so lately.
I went and mowed some trails last week. Not sure if cutting up 1-2 inch diameter saplings is mowing.

Besides the saplings I was mowing down brush, blackberry, and "grass". Took about 4.5 hours and I never ever left the tractor seat. Woke up the next day and had two chigger bites. On on each elbow. Somehow those things got on the tractor and best I can tell climbed up the FEL control as well as the steering wheel or gear selecters. Only way they could have gotten me.
Not sure if the ticks are worse this year or not but they certainly started earlier since we warmed up pretty quick this year. Last year we had a freeze on 4/15 which is the average last for a freeze in my area. This year we had a real nice mild spring and then the heat turned on in early June.
If you see something small like bits of black pepper those might be chiggers. Seed tick aka young ticks are a bit bigger. One of the gawd aweful things about chiggers is that you can get hundreds of bites if you hit a nest. BTDT.
We had fleas once once at the city house before Frontline wiped them out. I sprayed the backyard a couple of times which was a waste of time. I think the only thing that would control ticks/chiggers is a fire. And wiping out the deer.
We were talking to a person we are doing some business with. Her husband is recovering from Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. A tick got him this spring. She said they can't walk across the yard without picking them up.
Hate the things....
Later,
Dan