Chiggers

[drjones96]

I wouldn't think you'd have an issue with them in your yard as long as you keep your yard cut low. You usually will have problems with chiggars from walking around in thick overgrown knee-high brush.

[catman]

I keep my yard cut, and the chiggers will still get me if I go out barefooted or in sandals. If I wear shoes and socks, I'm okay. Yes, they are exceedingly itchy if they get on bare skin. I think they love all the rain we've had lately, too (like everything else).

[Philip T]

Originally Posted by seahawksweetie

hmmm, makes the idea of a no grass lawn very appealing in some ways. Not practical or pretty, just convenient in regards to avoiding the chiggers.

Do chiggers grow in any particular kind of grass or just wherever?

"Tall" grass is the problem areas. Normal lawn mowed grass is not. The chiggers climb up the grass blades and wait for food (e.g., you) to pass.

Above ankle height up to wherever -- that is the problem area. In knee-high you get bites up to your knees. In waist-high . . . . I will leave to your imagination.

[seahawksweetie]

I remember one spring our family went to watch my dad play softball and we sat in the grass and had our lunch...and the chiggers joined us, lol. Man, we were miserable.

I just wasn't sure if it was Bermuda grass, or Zoysia or some other type of grass they were prone to.

[atupelogal]

Well...I definitely disagree...I was attacked by an army of chiggers this summer and the damage lasted two weeks for sure. I was only in my back yard...no tall grass or weeds...but there were tomato plants. After researching I learned that they will hang out on anything tall...so that explains that. I was told by my very old..oops..and very wise mother to get OFF with as much as Deet as I could find. It actually works, along with taking a shower immediately after coming inside. Those tiny little red devils are the absolute worse thing I have encountered.

[KewGee]

Here is a link that tells you much about chiggers and the savage itching they cause.

Chiggers! (http://mdc.mo.gov/nathis/arthopo/chiggers/ - broken link)

[RES]

Yes, watch out! The rain awhile back made them bad. Our youngest of 4 got them all through his diaper at Arcadia Trails Park. They were just about gone when one got an infection that turned into an abcess super fast...turned out to be MRSA. That is the "superbug"...a staph infection that is highly resistant to many traditional antibiotics. He is on his second round of antibiotics, has had two abcesses, and three others that tried to form. He is not even two. All from chigger bites.

[drjones96]

That is a great link KewGee.