A Complete Guide on How to Find, Treat, and Get Rid of Ticks in Your Home

Ticks are parasitic spiders that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, reptiles, and frogs, among other animals. Trees and bushes are good places for ticks to hide, and they like to attach themselves to people and animals that brush against them.

Ticks and their young can spread many dangerous diseases. They can also sometimes cause allergens and anemia.

What is a nymph?

Pests go through either a simple or complex metamorphosis to complete their life cycle. In a complex transformation, an insect changes from an egg to a larva (also called a caterpillar), to a pupa, and finally to an adult.

When an insect hatches, it looks like a smaller version of its adult self. It then goes through a series of molts to become fully grown.

Ticks change species. They are called “larvae” when they hatch, but they do not look like worms. They look like small ticks. They are about the size of a poppy seed and have six legs. They quickly try to attach themselves to any living thing that will give them blood. They detach and turn into an eight-legged nymph once they are full. Nymphs are a little smaller than adult ticks, but they still look like ticks and can spread disease.

If you find ticks in your home, you should carefully remove them and get rid of them properly. If they keep coming back, you may want to call a professional pest control service.

WARNING

Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and tularemia are just a few of the dangerous diseases that ticks can transmit. Many tick control solutions use pesticides, which can harm people and pets if not used properly. If you have had problems with ticks in your home on more than one occasion, take steps to make your home less attractive to ticks, and consider calling a professional pest control service for long-term help.
What Do Ticks Look Like?

Ticks are small spider-like insects that live in woods and fields. They are most common in spring and summer, but are still active in autumn. These insects do not fly and usually live on animals, but can also attach themselves to people.

Ticks are brown or black and have small bumps all over their bodies. They have small heads with mouths designed to cut the skin so they can feed on blood. Their legs are long and thin. Very small caterpillars have only six legs, while adults and nymphs have eight. Once they have fed on blood, ticks can “engorge,” which means they grow larger. During this time, they can be as big as a pea.

If you think you have found a tick indoors, be careful and make sure you are not dealing with bed bugs or carpet beetles. If you find a tick on yourself or your pet, you should consult a doctor for advice on how to get rid of it and what treatments are available.

Some types of ticks can enter inside, but most people think of ticks as external animals. Some of them spread disease, but not all do. These ticks include:

The deer tick is the most well-known tick that spreads Lyme disease. It is very small and difficult to spot. The name “deer tick” is a bit old-fashioned, though, since this tick is not usually found on deer. Rats and mice are what they are.

American dog tick: This tick can transmit Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever through pets or clothing.

Brown Dog Tick: This tick is a common household pest that wants to stick around for a long time. It is not known to spread disease, but if allowed to thrive in your home, it can cause anemia in your pets.

Tip

Ticks are commonly found on pets and clothing worn outside. If your dog or family members have been running around in the woods or tall grass, or if you live in a place where ticks are a big problem, check them (and yourself!) when they come back in after being outside.

6 Ways to Get Rid of Ticks Naturally

Getting rid of ticks is not the whole point of tick control. Ticks will always be around if you live in an area where they are common. It is important to keep them out of your home and away from your pets and family.

Many old urban legends claim that certain things can free ticks or prevent them from biting. However, not all of these ideas are based on science. Some of them, like setting a tick on fire with a hot match, can actually harm the insect more than it helps.

When getting rid of ticks, use simple, common-sense methods. It’s probably too good to be true if a treatment method seems dangerous or too difficult to understand.
Learn how to inspect ticks

The CDC says ticks need to be attached for 36-48 hours before they can do any harm. When you or your pets come inside after being outside, especially in the spring and summer, be sure to check everyone carefully for ticks. Check these body parts:

Around the ears and in the hair

Between the legs

Back to knee

Under the armpits

Around the waist

Inside the navel

Also, don’t forget to check your gear. Ticks can get into things like coats, bags, and tents, so be sure to check those things, too.

Tip

Ticks that are sick with Lyme disease do not spread the disease for the first 24 hours after feeding. Also, taking a shower within two hours of coming home can help reduce your risk of contracting Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. It can also get rid of ticks that have not yet had a chance to attach. When you shower, you can check your entire body for ticks, so don’t forget to do that after you’ve been outside!

Check your pets for ticks

Ticks often come into your home with pets. Ticks, like the brown dog tick, are happy to live in your home where they can feed on your pets and have lots of babies. These things can cause anemia in your pets.

Ticks are very small and can be difficult to see on your pet at first. In order to feed unseen, they burrow into an animal’s fur and attach themselves. The tick is probably full of blood when you notice it. Don’t wait until you see a tick full of blood! Bring flea and tick medicine for your dogs and make sure they are clean when they come into the house.

Get rid of ticks.

There are several types of sprays and repellents available to get rid of ticks, including over-the-counter products like DEET and homemade products.

The following essential oils have been shown to help keep ticks away:

Lemon oil

Eucalyptus oil

If you want to make your own tick repellent, you should mix one or more oils with water, vinegar, and witch hazel in some way. But do your research first! Essential oils can still be dangerous if not used correctly, so find a method you can trust and follow it carefully.

Wear appropriate clothing

Remember to wear the right clothing if you plan to go out into wooded areas where ticks may be present. You may also want to treat your clothing with something that will repel ticks and other insects before you go out.

Cover your skin, wear closed shoes and high socks, and wear long sleeves and pants made of sturdy fabric. Also, try to avoid walking through areas with dense vegetation as much as possible.

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.