Bet the lard is what does the trick. The lard would keep the chigger from getting oxygen and it would die and stop itching. We always used nail polish to cover chigger bites. And mother always kept some clear polish around for that purpose. But one day I was doing a project for school and made a small salt map and decided to color it and then used the clear nail polish to seal it. Made a good looking job of it. That evening daddy went down on the river bank to fish and got into a bunch of chiggers. Mother found the clear polish gone and so she used what she had; a bright vermillion red. I heard her laughing and walked into the bedroom w/o knocking - a real no, no, but I just as quickly retreated. Not before however, that I saw what she was laughing at - Daddy was stretched across the bed face down and his backside was painted with bright red polka dots!!!! Still laugh when I remember it! He was a good sport abt it tho. Just said, 'remember to knock before entering!!!' Nancy S