How long does a tick survive in an apartment on clothing? - briefly
Ticks can remain viable on indoor fabrics for about five to ten days under typical household temperature and humidity, extending to two weeks if conditions are cooler and dryer. Survival beyond this period is unlikely without a blood meal.
How long does a tick survive in an apartment on clothing? - in detail
Ticks can remain viable on fabrics for several weeks under typical indoor conditions. Survival depends on species, life stage, temperature, and humidity.
- Species variation: Adult Ixodes scapularis and Dermacentor variabilis tolerate lower humidity and may live 30‑45 days on dry clothing. Larvae and nymphs, which require higher moisture, usually survive 10‑20 days before desiccation.
- Temperature range: Ambient indoor temperatures of 18‑24 °C (64‑75 °F) support the longest lifespan. Cooler environments (below 10 °C) slow metabolism, extending viability up to 60 days, while higher temperatures (>30 °C) accelerate dehydration, reducing survival to a few days.
- Humidity influence: Relative humidity above 70 % markedly prolongs tick endurance. In dry apartments (relative humidity <40 %), most ticks die within a week.
- Clothing material: Synthetic fibers (polyester, nylon) wick moisture away, causing faster desiccation. Natural fibers (cotton, wool) retain moisture, allowing longer survival.
Risk of attachment diminishes as ticks age and lose moisture. A tick that has been on a garment for more than two weeks is unlikely to seek a host, but it may still pose a minor threat if re‑wetting occurs (e.g., after laundering).
Mitigation steps
- Remove and isolate suspect garments immediately.
- Wash items in hot water (≥60 °C) for at least 10 minutes.
- Dry on high heat for a minimum of 30 minutes; heat kills all stages.
- For non‑washable items, place in a sealed plastic bag for 48 hours at room temperature to induce desiccation, then vacuum‑clean.
Regular inspection of clothing after outdoor exposure, especially in tick‑endemic areas, reduces the likelihood of accidental transport into living spaces.