[masraum]

Many of my years as a youngster were spent in the woods, climbing trees, playing in fields, all while somewhere on the Gulf coast (Gulf of Mexico/America, that is). I'd heard of chiggers and never once experienced them. Thank goodness.

I have NEVER experienced anything that causes an itch like chiggers, not mosquito bites, poison ivy, anything.

We now live in the middle of Texas in a rural setting. We have a creek that runs through our property. 99% of the time it's dry except for a small section that holds water at least part of the year. In the last 4+ years, I have been getting chigger bites. The first 2 years, I had no idea what they were, I now know. I think it's not too bad as long as I stay away from the ravine (creek) except in the winter, but when, if you go down there, you're pretty likely to get some bites.

I spent every day, Thu - Sun down there, but mostly on a piece of equipment. The first day, I got 2 bites, not bad. The second day, no new bites. The third day, I think I got about 6-8 new bites and the last day, another 5-6 bites. It could be worse. One of the first times that I got bites, I must have had 30 bites.

Now I know, when I come in and have been in that area, I immediately take a shower. I've got an exfoliating glove. I scrub myself head to toe with the glove, and that seems to minimize the bites, so they are small and not too bad instead of huge and incredibly itchy.

I'd meant to treat my work clothes thoroughly with permethrin before I did the work, but things snuck up on me.

I've got some socks and two or three pairs of pants that I'll treat this week since the summer is upon us and I'm sure I'll be down there more.

Hopefully, you fellas up north where it gets really cold don't have to worry about them!

From what I understand they DO NOT burrow into your skin (which is what I was always told). They are not the little red mites that you see running around because they are too small to be readily seen (1/120 - 1/150 of an inch).