When it comes to finding a cure for chigger bites or controlling chiggers I seriously doubt Obama's trillion dollar stimulus has ear marked even one dollar for such a worthy purpose.

All of your tax dollars going to help some illegal foreigner get benefits, but you do not get relief from chiggers or the chigger's maddening itch. Doesn't that just make you want to go scratch?

Well, the truth is, those chiggers are still on the attack. You still have to be educated if you expect to survive the summer and enjoy your time in the yard with your families and in the woods doing whatever you do there.

There are some chigger treatments available but the stimulus package will not buy them for you. So here are few tips you can do to be smarter than the average chigger.

Rule number 1: The best rule of all. Avoid chiggers if all possible.

Rule number 2: Apply a strong insect repellent to your clothes. Apply around the cuffs, the belt line, up and down your legs. DO NOT apply to your skin and for heaven sakes do apply to your children. Most animal feed store carry pet supplies. They probably carry a good repellent for pets that is much stronger than made for humans at less cost. Just use with care and caution.

IMPORTANT: DEET is a great chigger repellent but it is known to cause serious damage to the body that may not become known until sometimes years down the road. Including brain damage resulting in seizures and worse.

Or as an alternative there is a substance called sulfur, more particularly called flowers of sulfur that makes an excellent repellent. It can be obtained from most pharmacies. Apply the powder around the bottom of the pant legs, up the legs and around the belt line. It can be bit messy but it is quite effective for repelling chiggers and ticks.

There are also essential oils to use for chigger repellent. Citronella, Bergamot, and Wild Tansy will help to repel chiggers.

Mix five parts of Lavender and Lemongrass with three parts Peppermint and one part Thyme, add to cup of water, shake well and spray on.

Or combine equal parts of Clove, Lemon and Orange to one cup of water and spray on.

If you can find fresh mint, crush it and rub it around your pants and shirt openings and on your hands and neck.

Lavender will help with the itching as does Tea Tree oil.

Rule number 3: Brush off your clothes periodically. Chiggers can penetrate clothing but usually, like people, are lazy. They look for the easy way in.

Rule number 4: Wear light colored, loose fitting clothing when in chigger land. Chiggers like dark colored objects.

Rule number 5: Wear boots with your pants tucked inside if possible.

Rule number 6: Do not be petting and holding your pets when they have been out in the woods. Chiggers like them better than they like you.

Rule number 7: Avoid those wive tail formulas about curing chigger bites like the swine flue. They are not only worthless, they downright dangerous.

Rule number 8: After exposure wash all clothes in HOT HOT water with soap. Then and only then wash yourself in hot water. Be sure to scrub down with a good wash rag to dislodge any free loaders. The sooner you do all of this, the better.

Rule number 9: Follow these simple chigger treatment steps and go have worry free fun.