While the surrounding habitat for the critters found around Beavers Bend and Broken Bow, Oklahoma may be beautiful to the eye, that isn't always the case for the body.
Beavers Bend State Park offers guests hiking trails that meander throughout the rolling pines and hardwoods.
Also, the cool water from the Mountain Fork River flowing into the park, makes for great trout fishing.
Canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats can be rented or vacationers can just take a dip in the crystal clear water.
However, visitors unfamiliar with the deep woods of Southeast Oklahoma often arrive unprepared for the tiny army that patiently awaits them.
Some believe they have read up and feel comfortable with what lurks in the forest, only to realize they too had to learn the hard way.
As frightening as they sound, don't be alarmed.
These little monsters can literally be wiped right out of your future.
If you guessed this discomfort is caused by mosquito's or ticks, you were partially correct.
But, the real culprit here is the mighty chigger.
For many, including myself, their interaction with the human skin can be most uncomfortable and last for a week.
The reaction can cause pea sized, red, itchy, bumps.
Also, if you scratch the bites, you may experience an amplified irritation and discomfort.
Simply brushing up against the smallest blade of grass allows a chigger to latch onto your clothes or body.
Then, your time starts to run out.
The longer you wait to either wipe or rinse your body off, the greater your chance of getting infected with the chigger.
Many vacationers come to Beavers Bend assuming they can simply slather themselves with Off or any deet based insect repellant.
This of course, is quite effective in preventing mosquito bites.
However, after living in the Beavers Bend area for several years now, I can testify that insect repellant works moderately, but does not prevent chiggers found around the area.
Wiping, or brushing off all areas of the body that come into contact with grass or weeds works fairly well.
However, the most effective method in preventing the chigger from burrowing into your skin is to rinse off with water.
Yes, it's that simple.
But, it must be done within an hour or two.
Also, cloths that have been worn should also be brushed or shaken off.
So, after you plan the horseback riding, canoe trip, or renting a cabin for your next Beavers Bend vacation, don't forget about the mosquitos and ticks.
Even more importantly, this information may prevent you or your loved ones from succumbing to the invisible mite known as the chigger.
Even if you are staying in a private rental cabin that has been mowed or trimmed, you are still at risk of being quietly attacked.
So, be wise, wear a deet based insect repellant and always rinse or brush off within a few hours after being in the grass or woods.
This will make your Oklahoma vacation to the Beavers Bend and Broken Bow areas much more pleasant.
Beavers Bend State Park offers guests hiking trails that meander throughout the rolling pines and hardwoods.
Also, the cool water from the Mountain Fork River flowing into the park, makes for great trout fishing.
Canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats can be rented or vacationers can just take a dip in the crystal clear water.
However, visitors unfamiliar with the deep woods of Southeast Oklahoma often arrive unprepared for the tiny army that patiently awaits them.
Some believe they have read up and feel comfortable with what lurks in the forest, only to realize they too had to learn the hard way.
As frightening as they sound, don't be alarmed.
These little monsters can literally be wiped right out of your future.
If you guessed this discomfort is caused by mosquito's or ticks, you were partially correct.
But, the real culprit here is the mighty chigger.
For many, including myself, their interaction with the human skin can be most uncomfortable and last for a week.
The reaction can cause pea sized, red, itchy, bumps.
Also, if you scratch the bites, you may experience an amplified irritation and discomfort.
Simply brushing up against the smallest blade of grass allows a chigger to latch onto your clothes or body.
Then, your time starts to run out.
The longer you wait to either wipe or rinse your body off, the greater your chance of getting infected with the chigger.
Many vacationers come to Beavers Bend assuming they can simply slather themselves with Off or any deet based insect repellant.
This of course, is quite effective in preventing mosquito bites.
However, after living in the Beavers Bend area for several years now, I can testify that insect repellant works moderately, but does not prevent chiggers found around the area.
Wiping, or brushing off all areas of the body that come into contact with grass or weeds works fairly well.
However, the most effective method in preventing the chigger from burrowing into your skin is to rinse off with water.
Yes, it's that simple.
But, it must be done within an hour or two.
Also, cloths that have been worn should also be brushed or shaken off.
So, after you plan the horseback riding, canoe trip, or renting a cabin for your next Beavers Bend vacation, don't forget about the mosquitos and ticks.
Even more importantly, this information may prevent you or your loved ones from succumbing to the invisible mite known as the chigger.
Even if you are staying in a private rental cabin that has been mowed or trimmed, you are still at risk of being quietly attacked.
So, be wise, wear a deet based insect repellant and always rinse or brush off within a few hours after being in the grass or woods.
This will make your Oklahoma vacation to the Beavers Bend and Broken Bow areas much more pleasant.
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