Actually, though they don't "burrow", they do attach to the skin and feed. A good bath right after you are out in the woods will wash them off and keep them from continuing to feed.Once the itching starts,scratchingwill usually knock them off, but the itching may not start for 12 - 24 hours after they startfeeding. The best treatments are OTC anti-itch creams or oral Benadryl. In severe cases, a prescription steriod cream may be used.