gdnagle is right on for tick control.
I now own 160 acres in SE KS. My neighbors wife was just diagnosed with Lyme disease.
I grew up on a farm in South Central Missouri on the edge of the Ozark Plateau. Ticks and chiggers were always out in force.
I learned to not brush up against weeds or limbs while walking.
When you feel the itch the chigger has already dined and all you can do is treat the itch. A time or two I was covered with chigger bites, my Mom put some bleach in the bath water. Stopped the itch.
I have run the bush hog over areas I hunt prior to the season.
Tuck your pant legs into your boots or socks.
I spray with Deet based repellent.
When younger I asked an old timer how they dealt with ticks and chiggers. He said there weren't any. Every farm burnt off the pastures/woods every year. He never saw ticks and chiggers until after burning as a practice stopped.
Also, do not walk in game or livestock trails.
One warm day on a spring turkey hunt I was sitting on a log by a large Oak tree. The ground had lots of leaves from the previous fall, there were a few bare spots with dirt. I looked down and saw 10 or so ticks coming directly at me, they had to sense me from 5-10 feet. I moved down the log, they changed directions and kept coming towards me.
They hang on weeds/grass and brush with one leg out and will hook on when you brush them. Once while riding the ATV with my wife on back I ducked under a low limb, I told her to duck, she was slow to react. She was not hurt, when we got back to the RV her back, neck and hair line was covered in the small newborn seed ticks. We had some dog tick and flea shampoo, it killed all of the ticks. I really caught flack for suggesting it, but with the tick demise she now passes it along. I have done that one too.
I've been wondering if one put Dog tick and flea shampoo in the final rinse when washing clothes might help?????
