How long does a subcutaneous tick live on clothing? - briefly
A tick that has become embedded in the skin will not remain viable on clothing; after detaching, it usually dies within 24 hours, often within a few hours. Survival beyond one day is extremely unlikely.
How long does a subcutaneous tick live on clothing? - in detail
Ticks that become lodged in fabric survive only as long as conditions permit metabolic activity. An unfed nymph or adult kept on a shirt, pant leg, or sock typically remains viable for 1 – 3 hours at ambient temperatures of 20‑25 °C and relative humidity above 70 %. Under cooler, drier circumstances (10‑15 °C, humidity < 50 %), survival drops to 30‑45 minutes before desiccation forces death.
Key variables influencing longevity on clothing:
- Temperature – metabolic rate doubles with each 10 °C rise; at 30 °C ticks may stay alive up to 4 hours, whereas at 5 °C they survive less than 20 minutes.
- Humidity – ticks lose water through their cuticle; high humidity (≥ 80 %) extends survival, low humidity (< 40 %) accelerates dehydration.
- Species – Ixodes scapularis and Dermacentor variabilis tolerate lower humidity better than Amblyomma americanum, adding roughly 30 % more survival time in dry air.
- Life stage – larvae possess a thinner cuticle and die faster than nymphs or adults; adult females can endure the longest, often exceeding the 3‑hour window under optimal conditions.
- Feeding status – a tick that has already begun engorgement retains more body fluids, allowing it to persist up to 6 hours on a garment if humidity remains high.
If a tick remains attached to fabric beyond the typical survival window, it will become inactive, its legs curl, and its body darkens as it desiccates. At this point, the organism is no longer capable of attaching to a host.
Practical implications:
- Immediate removal of clothing after outdoor exposure reduces the chance of a tick re‑attaching to skin.
- Laundering garments in hot water (≥ 60 °C) or tumble‑drying for 30 minutes guarantees mortality.
- Storing clothing in sealed, low‑humidity containers for several days ensures any remaining ticks die from desiccation.
In summary, a tick lodged in clothing survives from a few tens of minutes to several hours, depending on environmental temperature, moisture level, species, developmental stage, and whether it has fed. The maximum viable period rarely exceeds 6 hours under the most favorable conditions.