Best Approach for Hikers & Campers to Avoid Chigger Bites

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Best Approach to Avoiding Chigger Bites When Camping & Hiking

Chigger bites can turn what was once fun into pure misery. With a few simple precautions chigger bites can be avoided when camping or hiking .

Have a much more enjoyable outdoor experience by avoided the biggest majority of chiggers with these tips on chigger control,

Avoid Chigger Bites By Avoiding Chigger Hot Spots

Chiggers like to hang out in colonies. They also like to hang out where tall grass and bushes are thick.

When hiking stick to trails and avoid wading into areas where grass is tall and plentiful.

When selecting a camp site, look for a place clear of brush and grass as much as possible. Sunshine should be plentiful as should the free movement of air.

Clear the area and push or rake the small stuff to the area where the campfire is to be built. Spray the area with an insect repellent. If wish to go natural make your own repellent before leaving home.

Use 4 tablespoons of dish soap and 4 teaspoons of vegetable oil per gallon of water or diluted Safe Solutions, Inc. Enzyme Cleaner with Peppermint (1 - 2 oz. per gallon of water).

Spray chigger repellent around the tent openings.

Dress Right to Avoid Chigger Bites

Probably the first thing to consider when going camping or hiking or any other outdoor activity where chiggers can be found is how to dress.

Chiggers are very small and can penetrate almost any material. Therefore, choose a material of tight weave, light color and loose fitting.

Chiggers like dark colors and they like to fit into tight places.

Wear boots if possible. Tuck the pant legs into the boots or into the tops of socks. Wear shirts with long sleeves.

Powder it Up or Spray it Up or Splash it On to Avoid Chigger Bites

Finding a good insect repellent is handy when trying to avoid chigger bites. There are many commercial brands on the market which works well in repelling chiggers. DEET is the most widely known active ingredient in most brands.

I have found the most effective repellent can be found in the feed stores. Feed stores carry repellents for pets that are much more effective then most brands labeled for human use.

WARNING: DEET has been proven to cause nerve damage when applied to the skin. It can have devastating affects far worse than a few chigger bites years down the road, including seizures and even death.

DO NOT apply DEET to the skin and for heaven sakes do not apply to children.

Apply DEET to the cuff areas of the pants and shirts, up and down the pant legs and around the belt line and shirt front.

Flowers of Sulfur is a natural repellent and can be found in most drug stores. Powder the sulfur as described for the DEET.

Some essential oils are also effective in repelling chiggers and avoiding chigger bites. Citronella, Bergamot, Wild Tansy are a few of the more common oils.

Avoid Chigger Bites By Being Extra Friendly

Giving each other hugs will not help deter chigger bites. However giving each other a few friendly pats every now and then may help avoid chigger bites.

Chiggers are lazy critters, like people. Chiggers look for the easy way into your hide and that usually a small opening some place.

It is advised to stop periodically and dust each other, or yourself, off. Meaning brush your clothes off, front and back like you are trying to remove a coat of dust. This will dislodge many of the little critters already climbing around on your clothing.

Dusting off your clothes every little while will help to keep chigger bites to a minimum.

Review even more chigger treatment information.

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