Ticks are the most common arthropods encountered in the home, both indoors and outdoors.
Ticks can be found on humans, pets, and livestock. They feed on blood from mammals and birds; however, they can also infect humans with diseases like Lyme disease.
Ticks are found in shady, humid areas with tall grass and vegetation. They can also be found near wooded areas and along trails where animals frequent.
Ticks can be removed from your home by vacuuming, sweeping, or mopping up the area where they were found.
Wash the items in hot water and dry them on high heat for at least 30 minutes. For ticks that have been attached for at least 24 hours, use a fine-tipped tweezers to remove them from skin.
In this article we’ll explore how to identify ticks in your house or yard and what you should do if you find one crawling around!
What Do Ticks Look Like?
Ticks are small, oval-shaped insects with a hard outer shell. They have a mouthpart that can be felt under the skin and they are usually black or brown in color.
There are many different types of ticks, but the most common in North America are the American dog tick, deer tick and lone star tick. You can find them anywhere that there is tall grass and shrubs.
Ticks can be found on dogs, cats, and humans; however it’s most common for dogs to be infected by ticks because of their long hair!
Ticks can be found in your home if you have recently been outside. If you see a tick crawling on your dog or cat, it is important to remove it immediately.
If you notice that there is a tick on your dog or cat, use tweezers to grab the head of the tick and pull it straight out.
Don’t twist or squeeze because this will cause the tick to release its saliva into your pet’s body. You should also check yourself for ticks when you come inside! You may find one crawling on an exposed area of skin like your face.
What Causes Ticks?
Ticks develop by feeding on the blood of a host animal. When they do this, they can transmit diseases to that host animal but also to humans.
Ticks are found wherever there are animals and tall grasses or shrubs in which they can hide.
Ticks are most common in warm, humid climates. They can be found anywhere there are animals, including your backyard or a nearby park.
There are many types of ticks and they vary by size and color. Some are very small, others larger than a grape.
They can be black, brown or reddish-brown. Ticks use their mouthparts to attach themselves to the host animal and feed on its blood. They do not suck but rather use enzymes in their saliva to digest blood as it is drawn into their bodies.
Ways to Get Rid of Ticks on your dog:
In order to get rid of ticks on your dog there are a few things you can do.
- First, check your dog for ticks every day. Use a magnifying glass if necessary and look closely at his or her fur. If you see any ticks, remove them immediately!
- If you can see a tick on your dog, use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out. Do not twist or bend because this can cause the tick’s head to break off inside your dog’s skin.
- Check your dog’s ears, belly and paws for ticks. If you find any, remove them right away. Use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out. Do not twist or bend because this can cause the tick’s head to break off inside your dog’s skin.
- If you can’t see any ticks, take your dog to the veterinarian. He or she will be able to perform a thorough check-up and determine if there are any ticks hiding in his fur.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling a tick, even if you remove it right away. You can also prevent the spread of Lyme disease by keeping your dog’s environment free of ticks. This includes inside and outside of your home, as well as on walks. If you’re in an area where Lyme disease is common, consider using tick repellants on your dog’s skin or fur when they go out for walks.
What Home Remedies can Kill Ticks?
- Salt: Regular table salt can kill tick larvae and eggs, dehydrating them until they fall apart. Sprinkle the salt over your floor at night—but be sure to vacuum it up in the morning. If you have carpeted floors, vacuum salt from them before it is completely dissolved.
- Boric acid (Borax): Boric acid, when used in conjunction with other products or techniques, is an effective way to kill ticks.
- Detergent: Dishwashing liquid can kill ticks on your pet. Apply generous amounts of dish soap to your pet, and let sit for 15-30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. When using a flea spray or other home remedies, it’s important to keep in mind that chemicals can irritate your pet’s skin and will not kill tick larvae or eggs.
- Eucalyptus oil: Eucalyptus oil not only kills ticks but also repels them. Make a solution of 4 ounces pure or distilled water and 20 drops of eucalyptus oil, then spray yourself and your pet with it.
- Bleach: To kill ticks instantly, place them in a container of bleach. Use a heavy concentration of bleach, such as 20 ounces of water in one teaspoon of bleach. The ticks will die immediately and can be disposed of safely by placing them in the trash or outside on your lawn.
- Rubbing alcohol: After you remove a tick from your body, put it in a cup of rubbing alcohol to kill it. You may want to do this if you find a tick on your pet. The rubbing alcohol will kill the tick quickly and safely, allowing you to dispose of it without worry that it will come back to life and bite you again.
- Water and mow your lawn: Ticks thrive in hot and dry environments, which is why they tend to inhabit thick grasses or wooded areas. If you live in an area that’s prone to ticks, keep your lawn short—and make sure it gets enough water so the grass can’t grow too tall!
FAQs:
Q: Can ticks live in your bed?
A: Yes! Ticks can be found in any place where there’s a lot of dirt or moisture.
This includes your bed. If you want to prevent ticks from living in your bed, make sure that you clean it regularly and keep the sheets tucked in tightly—so that there are no gaps for insects to sneak into.
Q: Are dog ticks harmful to humans?
A: Not usually, but it depends on the type of tick. Some ticks carry diseases that can make humans sick, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF).
However, these are rare cases: More than 95% of people who get bitten by a dog tick will not develop any symptoms at all.
Q: Does vinegar keep ticks away?
A: No, vinegar is not an effective tick repellent. In fact, there are no proven ways to repel ticks.
Q: What can I spray around my house for ticks?
A: You can use an aerosol spray that contains permethrin, which is a pesticide. This is the only product that has been proven effective at killing ticks, but it’s not safe for use around children and pets. For this reason, you should always wear protective gloves when applying it to outdoor surfaces.
Q: Can Dettol kill ticks on dogs?
A: Dettol is an antiseptic and disinfectant that kills bacteria, fungi and viruses. It doesn’t kill ticks or other parasites, so it won’t be effective at eliminating them from your dog.
