Ticks and Chiggers

[MountainWoman]

We're taking our horses to the Ozarks this summer and I'm worried about the bugs. We don't have many bugs in our part of Vermont and where we are headed has lots of tiny seed ticks and chiggers. If anyone lives in this area, could you share your bug control solutions? Thanks!

 

[fourluckyhorseshoes]

We also can get ticks and chiggers in the Southeast as well. I know I sure have. One solutions is to get chickens-- guinea hens and let them free range, or put them in a chicken tractor, to eat the bugs. Once you get chiggers they are VERY!!! itchy-- paint the itchy area on your skin with clear nail polish to suffocate them. Chiggerex (available at Walmart, white bottle red top) works well for tick and other bug bites.

 

[Jean A]

Free ranging chickens and guineas is great! We lost our flock while one son was in hospital for a year. They were cared for..just no one there all the time, and the owls, hawks and raccoons feasted. Murray McMurray has my order for both right now..We never had fleas or ticks until the last couple of years..

I have never seen ticks, chiggers, or fleas on livestock here. Dogs, deer, cats..squirrels..sheep have lice..but never on horses or cattle. In my experience, anyway.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

The best defense, I've found, is to spray your shoes and your horses' legs with OFF or good fly spray. The beasties won't crawl up out of the grass onto you. You might get an occasional one dropping down from a tree, but deterring the grass ones is most effective. Just spray first thing and it should last all day.

Check ends of the tails as ticks like to go there.

Beautiful country there! Enjoy!

 

[MountainWoman]

Thanks for the advice!

 

[palsminihorses]

We're taking our horses to the Ozarks this summer and I'm worried about the bugs. We don't have many bugs in our part of Vermont and where we are headed has lots of tiny seed ticks and chiggers. If anyone lives in this area, could you share your bug control solutions? Thanks!

We live near Branson, MO. Where are you taking your horses?

There is a product called 'Co-Ral Dust' that you can buy at most farm stores. I rub it between their front and hind legs to help with ticks. If the horses already have ticks on them, this stuff will dry them up and they'll fall off. It comes in a 'shaker can.' The label suggests using gloves, but I have always just used my hands and then wash throughly.

Pam

 

[MountainWoman]

Pam,

We'll be almost neighbors! We'll be in Ozark County on Bull Shoals Lake. I'll look for the Co-Ral Dust at our local feed store. Thanks.

 

[Helicopter]

What are chiggers??

 

[MountainWoman]

Helicopter, chiggers are nasty little pests that you can't see but bite like crazy and leave itchy patches that seem to last forever. Chigger bites can really drive you crazy with itching.

 

[Jean A]

Chiggers is why we pick dewberries and blackberries in long sleeves in July, lol..Horrible itching that goes on, and on, and on..

 

[palsminihorses]

Pam,

We'll be almost neighbors! We'll be in Ozark County on Bull Shoals Lake. I'll look for the Co-Ral Dust at our local feed store. Thanks.

Awesome! I know the general area where you'll be. You're close enough to come for a visit! Let me know when you'll be here.

Pam

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome to the Ozarks, Mountain Woman! We'll be neighbors too. We live in Ozark County. We have guineas and chickens for the ticks, and I hardly ever find one on the horses. Chiggers are a whole nother topic! Don't know that they bother the horses, but they sure bother me! Usually just in the late spring, though. If you're walking through a grassy area where nobody's been lately, just have hubby walk ahead of you!

 

[MountainWoman]

Ridgerunner,

So glad I found another neighbor

 

[palsminihorses]

Welcome to the Ozarks, Mountain Woman! We'll be neighbors too. We live in Ozark County. We have guineas and chickens for the ticks, and I hardly ever find one on the horses. Chiggers are a whole nother topic! Don't know that they bother the horses, but they sure bother me! Usually just in the late spring, though. If you're walking through a grassy area where nobody's been lately, just have hubby walk ahead of you!

Hey Melba,

We'll have to get together one day and go over to Theodosia to meet Sara!

Pam

 

[Ridgerunner]

Sounds like a plan to me, Pam! Nothing more fun than visiting a new mini friend! Let us know when you're ready for some serious mini talk, Sara!

Melba

 

[MountainWoman]

Can't wait to meet you both. Minis are always welcome too! I'd love to have someone to go driving with as well. Just bring bug repellant