Hunters in warm, moist forests need protection against chiggers.
It's no secret to seasoned hunters that woods and fields are filled with tiny pests like mosquitoes and ticks that can make life miserable for them. One that delivers a nasty bite is the chigger. It can be deterred using repellents, but some standard repellents have drawbacks you may want to avoid. Making your own repellent is simple, saves money and can help you avoid some problems standard repellents can cause.
Chiggers
Chiggers are arachnids, the larvae of the Trombiculidae mite. They are related to ticks. These little pests can be found in most states of the U.S., with the exception of the western and some northern states. Although they are too small to be seen with the unaided eye, measuring only around 1/150th of an inch, their bite belies their size. Humans experience an allergic reaction to chigger saliva that causes swelling, itching and sometimes even fever. Scratching removes the chigger but may result in infection. Chiggers are not active in weather below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, are most active at 77 degrees to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, and avoid surfaces hotter than 99 degrees Fahrenheit.
Repellent Choices
Many manufactured bug repellents contain toxic chemicals. While they do deter bugs from biting, the toxins can be absorbed through the skin. These toxins also wash off in rain or when you wade or swim, polluting the environment. There is an assortment of natural, toxin-free repellents you can make or use, all of which are good for use in chigger-infested areas. Hunters may want to be more discriminating than other wilderness visitors about which to use, though. Many repellents have scents that are not natural in some environments and may act as an alarm to the animals you are hunting.
First Choice Repellents
One of the best natural bug repellents is sulfur. Sulfur powder is inexpensive but has a strong and unpleasant smell and may cause skin reactions Marigold is a natural chigger repellent that doesn't smell so noxious. Grind marigold in a food grinder, then make a mix of 50-percent marigold and 50-percent rubbing alcohol. Let it sit for a week in a closed container, then strain. Both of these repellents may cause skin reactions, so should be tested on a small patch of skin before applied liberally.
Other Strategies
If marigold and sulfur don't work for you, there are many other substances you may try. Find out what plants that deter bugs grow locally in the area you are hunting. Oils of plants that are native to the area you are hunting in are the least likely to spook animals. Cedar is a good deterrent and is a natural scent in many forested areas. Mint is another deterrent that grows in a wide range of areas. You can use plant oils alone, combine them or make a repellent using the same formula of 50-percent ground plants and 50-percent rubbing alcohol. These formulas offer double protection because bugs do not like the taste of the alcohol, yet when it dries it leaves little scent, which is adequately disguised by the plant smell.
Tags: degrees Fahrenheit, 50-percent rubbing, 50-percent rubbing alcohol, area hunting, cause skin, cause skin reactions