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Outside, wear light-colored clothing. Because ticks are dark, they are much easier to see on the outside of your clothing.
Use the dryer to kill ticks
When you come back inside after being out, put everything in the dryer on high before washing. That’s right, dry first, then wash and dry again. While it might make sense to wash your clothes first, the heat from the detergent might not kill the ticks, and you don’t want to leave them there.
Dry your clothes. Ticks can easily dry out. To get rid of ticks that are still on your clothes, remove them and dry them on high heat for at least 10 minutes.
Address Favorable Conditions
In pest control, a “favorable condition” is any factor in the surrounding environment that makes the pest problem worse. Some of these factors are food sources, safe places to hide, and others.
When dealing with ticks in your home, there are a few things that should be considered first:
What Do Ticks Eat: Ticks eat blood. Treat your pets for ticks and check your pets and family members after being outside to get rid of their food sources.
Areas where ticks can hide: Ticks live outdoors, but if you want to keep them away from your home, trim any brush or vegetation near buildings or other structures indoors.
How to Know if You Have Ticks in Your Home
Because ticks are so small, they can be difficult to spot inside until they have fed on blood or become a recurring problem.
In the woods, brush, and tall grass, ticks like to hide. They cluster together or remain alone until an animal accidentally picks them up.
They won’t go away forever, no matter how much you want them to. Chemical sprays might be what you want to use, but too much is bad for the soil and your health, and they won’t get rid of ticks forever.
It is very important to know how to check for ticks and to do so regularly if you live in an area where ticks are known to be present outdoors or have been a problem indoors in the past.
What causes ticks?
Ticks are parasitic arachnids that feed on the blood of animals, such as mammals, snakes, and birds. They are related to spiders and mites. In recent years, their numbers have increased, which is scary and means that people need to be prepared to take measures to stay away from them.
Ticks are found everywhere. Although spring and summer are the busiest times, in some places they can be found well into October. They love to be outside, but there are several ways to get in.
Here are some:
Take a tour of pets
Hiding in clothes worn outdoors
How to stay away from ticks
There are a few important things you can do to keep ticks out of your home:
You should give your pets a good tick medicine.
When you are outside, use tick repellent. Know where ticks might be hiding and stay away from those spots.
Before you go inside, be sure to check your family and pets carefully, especially if you are in the woods or near heavy vegetation.
To keep ticks off your clothes, wash them properly and dry them in a radiator on high heat.
Make sure the yard adjacent to your house is well-kept and free of weeds.
These steps may seem challenging, but they will help protect you, your family, and your pets from the health risks that can come from ticks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do ticks live?
Some ticks can live up to three years before dying. Ticks can be harmful to your health during this time, depending on the type of tick.
What does Lyme disease mean?
Lyme disease is caused by a germ carried by ticks. This disease can spread to the heart, nervous system, and joints, and it feels like the flu and causes a rash.
Which ticks cause Lyme disease?
Toxoplasmosis is transmitted by Ixodes ticks, also known as black-legged ticks and deer ticks. These ticks can be found in some parts of North America.5
Why is the tick population increasing?
Tick numbers are increasing worldwide due to warmer climates, habitat loss and cross-border pet trade.
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