Clothing infested with ticks: what should I do? - briefly
Remove any attached ticks with fine tweezers, seal the garment in a plastic bag, and launder it in hot water followed by a high‑heat dryer cycle; alternatively, freeze the item for several days if washing is not feasible. Discard the bag or thoroughly clean it afterward to prevent re‑infestation.
Clothing infested with ticks: what should I do? - in detail
When you discover ticks attached to your clothing, act immediately to eliminate the parasites and reduce the risk of disease transmission.
First, isolate the garment. Place it in a sealed plastic bag to prevent ticks from escaping onto other surfaces. Keep the bag away from pets and children.
Next, remove the insects. Use fine‑toothed tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal tool. Grip each tick as close to the fabric as possible and pull straight upward with steady pressure. Avoid twisting, which can leave mouthparts embedded in the material. Dispose of the removed ticks in alcohol or a sealed container before discarding.
After removal, decontaminate the clothing. Follow one of these methods:
- Machine wash at a minimum of 60 °C (140 °F) for 10 minutes, then tumble‑dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes.
- If the fabric cannot withstand high temperatures, soak in a solution of 1 part household bleach to 9 parts water for 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
- For delicate items, place in a sealed bag and freeze at –20 °C (–4 °F) for 48 hours, then launder according to care instructions.
Inspect the surrounding area. Check skin for any attached ticks that may have transferred during removal. If a tick is found on the body, use the same removal technique and clean the bite site with antiseptic.
Monitor for symptoms of tick‑borne illnesses such as fever, rash, muscle aches, or joint pain. Seek medical attention promptly if any of these develop, providing details about recent exposure and the type of clothing involved.
Prevent future infestations by:
- Wearing long sleeves and trousers treated with permethrin when entering tick‑prone habitats.
- Tucking pants into socks and using gaiters to create a barrier.
- Performing a thorough tick check on clothing and skin after outdoor activities.
- Laundering all outdoor garments promptly after use, following the high‑temperature protocol described above.
These steps ensure rapid removal, effective disinfection, and reduced likelihood of disease transmission following a tick encounter on clothing.