Chiggers

[bike4ever]

bmccasland - Thanks for the rather disgusting yet very informative article on these devil bugs.

I had applied bug spray before the original ride. I get very large welts when bitten by mosquitoes so I make every effort to try and eliminate them. I've been lazy lately and just used the Avon bug spray (swiped it from my mom in VA). This has worked fine for mosquitoes.

I will definitely apply my deet this Thursday before riding there again. Yes I am returning since this trail is one of the most challenging and closest in our area.

[emily_in_nc]

Our yard has been infested with chiggers in the summer ever since we got a truckload of mulch that was full of them. We use organic methods of gardening and have so much wildlife that we can't spray the whole yard with a pesticide, so we just live with them. It sucks!

The only thing that seems to help is stripping immediately upon coming in after working in the yard -- putting all clothing into the laundry basket, hitting the shower and soaping down all over. Even doing this, we always manage to get a few bites, and they do itch like the devil. We use 1% hydrocortisone cream, which does help, but must be reapplied when they start itching again. It usually takes about a week for the itch to be completely gone.

One of the pleasures of living in the south -- not!

Emily