The Powdery Ingredient You Can Sprinkle On Your Lawn To Repel Chiggers

If you find that your legs become itchy and develop red bumps after you've been out in your yard doing some gardening or hanging out with your family, you may have chiggers. Chiggers are a common lawn pest and can be a major source of itchiness in the summer months. If they've been biting you and your family often, realize that you don't have to just live with it. You can repel chiggers from your yard with one simple ingredient: sulfur.

Sulfur will disrupt their metabolism and discourage them from staying in the area. Keep in mind that granulated sulfur isn't as effective as powdered sulfur, but either can be useful for this purpose. Also, be aware that it will repel chiggers, but it won't kill them. In addition to helping with your pest problem, using sulfur on your lawn can also improve its health, so that's a plus. It's a secondary nutrient for grass and does a great job of helping your lawn look lush and green.

There are several ways to use sulfur to repel chiggers. The best way is to simply dust your lawn with it. You'll want to spread it thoroughly and ensure that there's plenty distributed throughout your yard. However, an alternative is to add a bit of sulfur to your clothes and shoes before going outside. This will help keep them off of you when you're outside, but it won't repel them from your yard. If you're looking for an alternative to sulfur, another option to consider is diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled in your yard to repel chiggers just like sulfur can. However, unlike sulfur, it will actually kill them, but you need to be extremely cautious and wear gloves, glasses, and a face mask when spreading it.

Aside from using these methods, there are a few other things you can do to get rid of chiggers. Most of all, you should keep your lawn maintained and ensure your grass is kept as healthy as possible. Mowing your lawn regularly and keeping the grass at a short length can be helpful. Keep in mind that chiggers attack birds and animals as well as humans. Consider removing bird feeders from your yard to reduce the number of birds that chiggers can feed on and remove standing water from your yard to make your yard less attractive to them. You may also want to try adding some chigger-repelling plants to your yard.

If you're thinking about using sulfur to repel chiggers from your yard, there are a few things to be aware of first. Sulfur is safe for humans and has low toxicity if it comes into contact with the skin or it's ingested. However, ingesting too much sulfur can cause minor problems such as diarrhea or a burning sensation, so be aware of this before spreading it on your lawn.

More alarmingly, sulfur can be dangerous to pets. If pets eat sulfur, it can cause brain damage, stomach problems, and other issues. In some cases, it may even be fatal. If you have a pet, you may want to reconsider spreading sulfur in your yard. It may be wiser to use another method to get rid of chiggers or to simply add some to your clothes and shoes rather than to your entire lawn. Always keep an eye on pets if you have any sulfur around to ensure that they don't ingest any.