I camped at McKinney Falls last week and got more chigger bites than I have ever experienced. My own fault- I know how to prevent them, but didn't take the steps.Anyway, I got to thinking. I slept in the camper four nights. Could or would chiggers get off me and infest the bed? I did some Google research, but nothing definitive. Just a recommendation to wash the sheets and linens in hot soapy water, which I am obviously going to do. I was thinking about setting off one of those bug bombs, just in case chiggers are walking around in the camper.Anyone have any experience or opinions about the subject. I searched the forum, but didn't see much dealing with chiggers inside a camper.I am going on another trip Monday, and hope to sleep without being the bug buffet.

so how do you prevent them besides staying indoors. way back when we dumped a bunch of sulfur in our socks.bumpy

I may check with a vet, I know it sounds crazy, but they have great experience with all sorts of bugs including chiggers/mites. I had an infestation of fleas and it took forever to get them out of the house. I used those bombs, the only disadvantage to them is that you have to remove or clean every single surface when you are done. It may not seem like it's on things, but trust me, it is. Wash every surface you can with hot soapy water, the heat kills the chiggers. If you are out camping and suspect they are on some clothes or something, you can actually lay the clothes out on blacktop, just the heat from the sun on the blacktop is enough to kill them, or so I have read.hope that helps

Bumpy, a few steps to prevent/avoid chiggers (works moderately well for ticks, too):a) Bug repellent around pants cuffs & waistband, ankles down to top of footwear, legs if bare (I prefer long pants). I still don't totally trust this one, so usually use b) and/or c).b) Shower with soap & washcloth; scrub all pits, ankles, legs, waist area. Best if within 2-3 hours of exposure.c) If possible, avoid tall grass & bushes. Item b) also prevents / helps with poison oak/ivy.I'm very meticulous about using b), since I do volunteer work in the deep woods & tall grass for a few hours several days a week. Yep, I had a miserably itchy childhood, always playing in the woods & meadows, until I learned this stuff.That's my method, anyway.Jim, "I found my sleep number. It's seven. Seven beers."

Yes, chiggers can live in the carpet, etc. Rather than using a bomb (as taddyport mentions, you have to clean everything afterwards), try using Zodiac Household Spray. It's a flea and tick spray meant to be used on upholstery and carpets. Check for color fastness (spray in a small corner to make sure it doesn't discolor, etc.). Then spray everything that can't be washed - mattresses, cushions, blinds, floor. Spray into corners.For fleas and ticks, you would repeat the spraying in 2 weeks to kill anything that hatched after the first spraying. I'm not sure of the life cycle of the chiggers, but a second spraying won't hurt.I have used this stuff on chiggers and it killed them.

Were you picking wild berries ?As kids it was sulfur or kerosene to try and keep them off while picking wild blackberriesFinger nail polish on top of the bites, they burrow inDon't remember ever having them infest the house or our beds

Chiggers...infestation? | Good Sam Community

toedtoes
Explorer III
Jun 26, 2014
Yes, chiggers can live in the carpet, etc. Rather than using a bomb (as taddyport mentions, you have to clean everything afterwards), try using Zodiac Household Spray. It's a flea and tick spray meant to be used on upholstery and carpets. Check for color fastness (spray in a small corner to make sure it doesn't discolor, etc.). Then spray everything that can't be washed - mattresses, cushions, blinds, floor. Spray into corners.

For fleas and ticks, you would repeat the spraying in 2 weeks to kill anything that hatched after the first spraying. I'm not sure of the life cycle of the chiggers, but a second spraying won't hurt.

I have used this stuff on chiggers and it killed them.
Handbasket
Explorer
Jun 26, 2014
Bumpy, a few steps to prevent/avoid chiggers (works moderately well for ticks, too):

a) Bug repellent around pants cuffs & waistband, ankles down to top of footwear, legs if bare (I prefer long pants). I still don't totally trust this one, so usually use b) and/or c).

b) Shower with soap & washcloth; scrub all pits, ankles, legs, waist area. Best if within 2-3 hours of exposure.

c) If possible, avoid tall grass & bushes.

Item b) also prevents / helps with poison oak/ivy.

I'm very meticulous about using b), since I do volunteer work in the deep woods & tall grass for a few hours several days a week. Yep, I had a miserably itchy childhood, always playing in the woods & meadows, until I learned this stuff.

That's my method, anyway.

Jim, "I found my sleep number. It's seven. Seven beers."
taddyport
Explorer
Jun 26, 2014
I may check with a vet, I know it sounds crazy, but they have great experience with all sorts of bugs including chiggers/mites. I had an infestation of fleas and it took forever to get them out of the house. I used those bombs, the only disadvantage to them is that you have to remove or clean every single surface when you are done. It may not seem like it's on things, but trust me, it is. Wash every surface you can with hot soapy water, the heat kills the chiggers. If you are out camping and suspect they are on some clothes or something, you can actually lay the clothes out on blacktop, just the heat from the sun on the blacktop is enough to kill them, or so I have read.

hope that helps
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Jun 26, 2014
so how do you prevent them besides staying indoors. way back when we dumped a bunch of sulfur in our socks.
bumpy

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