International Header

Seattle Times: Multiple Strategies to Prevent Chigger Bites

A review of strategies to prevent chigger bites.

Seattle Times: Multiple Strategies to Prevent Chigger Bites

Last updated:
June 19, 2025
|  5 min read

Seattle Times: Multiple Strategies to Prevent Chigger Bites

Seattle Times: Multiple Strategies to Prevent Chigger Bites

YouTube video highlight

A review of strategies to prevent chigger bites.

Read more about the project

Seattle Times: Multiple Strategies to Prevent Chigger Bites

No items found.

Multiple Strategies to Prevent Chigger Bites

The People’s Pharmacy
Q: You’ve written about treating chigger bites, but you should really think about prevention. We live in the country. When I’m going to be walking in tall grass and weeds, I wear my snake boots which I’ve sprayed with Sawyer Permethrin. You can also spray your pants with it — but not while you’re wearing them! This will last through several washes.

Before going outside, I spray myself with a picaridin repellent — Repel Tick Defense (not DEET). If I’ve been doing yard work, I’ll take a shower as soon as I come inside. I think the soap and water rinse the chiggers away. Also, I throw my clothes in the washer with hot water before heading to the shower.

A: Wearing permethrin-treated clothing and picaridin repellent can be effective against ticks and mosquitoes as well as chiggers. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is also effective. Your idea of showering as soon as you come in the house is excellent as well. In addition to washing off the chiggers, it gives you a precious opportunity to check for ticks and remove them immediately.

Continue reading to learn more about preventing chigger bites, written by Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon.

Seattle Times: Multiple Strategies to Prevent Chigger Bites

Multiple Strategies to Prevent Chigger Bites

The People’s Pharmacy
Q: You’ve written about treating chigger bites, but you should really think about prevention. We live in the country. When I’m going to be walking in tall grass and weeds, I wear my snake boots which I’ve sprayed with Sawyer Permethrin. You can also spray your pants with it — but not while you’re wearing them! This will last through several washes.

Before going outside, I spray myself with a picaridin repellent — Repel Tick Defense (not DEET). If I’ve been doing yard work, I’ll take a shower as soon as I come inside. I think the soap and water rinse the chiggers away. Also, I throw my clothes in the washer with hot water before heading to the shower.

A: Wearing permethrin-treated clothing and picaridin repellent can be effective against ticks and mosquitoes as well as chiggers. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is also effective. Your idea of showering as soon as you come in the house is excellent as well. In addition to washing off the chiggers, it gives you a precious opportunity to check for ticks and remove them immediately.

Continue reading to learn more about preventing chigger bites, written by Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Executive Producers and Hosts, "The People's Pharmacy
Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon
In 1976, when The People's Pharmacy® was originally published, it was one of the first books providing drug and health information to consumers.
Media Mentions

Seattle Times: Multiple Strategies to Prevent Chigger Bites

Multiple Strategies to Prevent Chigger Bites

The People’s Pharmacy
Q: You’ve written about treating chigger bites, but you should really think about prevention. We live in the country. When I’m going to be walking in tall grass and weeds, I wear my snake boots which I’ve sprayed with Sawyer Permethrin. You can also spray your pants with it — but not while you’re wearing them! This will last through several washes.

Before going outside, I spray myself with a picaridin repellent — Repel Tick Defense (not DEET). If I’ve been doing yard work, I’ll take a shower as soon as I come inside. I think the soap and water rinse the chiggers away. Also, I throw my clothes in the washer with hot water before heading to the shower.

A: Wearing permethrin-treated clothing and picaridin repellent can be effective against ticks and mosquitoes as well as chiggers. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is also effective. Your idea of showering as soon as you come in the house is excellent as well. In addition to washing off the chiggers, it gives you a precious opportunity to check for ticks and remove them immediately.

Continue reading to learn more about preventing chigger bites, written by Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Executive Producers and Hosts, "The People's Pharmacy
Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon
In 1976, when The People's Pharmacy® was originally published, it was one of the first books providing drug and health information to consumers.
Media Mentions
browse all articles
Here at Sawyer
February 3, 2026
6 Min
Treeline Review: PCT Southbound Gear List & Strategy 2026
Read More

Media Mentions

43.2% of hikers used the Sawyer Squeeze, the most common hollow membrane squeeze filter (and the most common water treatment overall).

Mac
Contributing Writer

Media Mentions

Randy Patton’s late father, Biff Patton, launched the water filter program in 2010.

Conner Beene
Writer

Media Mentions

The most significant being its positive impact on our health after using it, its capacity to reduce our expenses on water treatment and access to safe water, and the time it saves by eliminating the need for boiling or treating water.

Teburenga Geraldine Tabwebweiti
Communications and Engagement
<<  Previous Post
No previous post!
Check out our Directory
Next Post  >>
No next post!
Check out our Directory