What should be done if ticks are found in a car? - briefly
Remove the ticks with fine tweezers, grasping close to the skin and pulling straight upward to avoid breaking the mouthparts. Then vacuum and steam‑clean all upholstery, treat the interior with an EPA‑approved acaricide if needed, and examine passengers for bite signs.
What should be done if ticks are found in a car? - in detail
If ticks are discovered inside a vehicle, immediate action is required to protect occupants and prevent spread. First, stop the car in a safe location and exit the interior. Remove clothing, place each garment in a sealed plastic bag, and shake them vigorously to dislodge any attached arthropods. Inspect the skin for attached ticks; use fine‑point tweezers to grasp the parasite as close to the mouthparts as possible and pull upward with steady pressure. After removal, clean the bite site with antiseptic.
Next, address the vehicle’s interior. Vacuum all seats, floor mats, and upholstery thoroughly, paying special attention to seams, crevices, and under the seats. Dispose of the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed container. Follow the vacuuming with a spray of an EPA‑registered acaricide approved for indoor use; apply according to label directions, ensuring coverage of fabric and carpeted areas. Allow the treated surfaces to dry completely before re‑entering the vehicle.
For hard surfaces such as the dashboard, door panels, and floorboards, wipe with a solution of 70 % isopropyl alcohol or a disinfectant that lists tick eradication among its claims. Dispose of cleaning cloths in a sealed bag.
If the vehicle has pet carriers, blankets, or other items that may have been in contact with ticks, wash them in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and dry on high heat. Items that cannot be laundered should be placed in a freezer for at least 48 hours to kill any remaining stages.
After treatment, monitor occupants for symptoms of tick‑borne illnesses, such as fever, rash, or joint pain, and seek medical evaluation if they appear. Maintain regular vehicle inspections, especially after trips to wooded or grassy areas, to detect and eliminate ticks before they establish a population.