What should be done with a tick on clothing? - briefly
Remove the tick promptly with fine‑tipped tweezers, grasping it as close to the fabric as possible and pulling straight upward. Dispose of the insect safely and wash the garment afterward.
What should be done with a tick on clothing? - in detail
When a tick attaches to a piece of clothing, immediate removal prevents it from crawling onto the skin. Follow these steps:
- Locate the arthropod. Ticks are usually dark, oval, and about the size of a pea when engorged.
- Use fine‑point tweezers or a tick‑removal tool. Grip the body as close to the fabric surface as possible, avoiding the legs.
- Apply steady, downward pressure. Pull straight out without twisting to reduce the chance of leaving mouthparts behind.
- Place the specimen in a sealed container. If identification or testing is needed, keep it alive in a breathable container; otherwise, dispose of it in a sealed bag and discard with household waste.
- Launder the affected garment. Wash at least 60 °C (140 °F) and tumble‑dry on high heat for a minimum of 30 minutes. Heat kills any remaining tick parts or eggs.
- Inspect the fabric after washing. Check seams, cuffs, and pockets for residual fragments.
- Store clothing in clean, dry conditions. Use sealed bags for items kept for extended periods, especially if they will not be worn soon.
Additional precautions:
- Perform a visual check before dressing, particularly after outdoor activities.
- Treat outdoor gear with an appropriate acaricide if exposure to tick‑infested areas is frequent.
- Keep pets examined regularly; they can transport ticks onto clothing.
By adhering to these measures, the risk of tick‑related disease transmission through apparel is minimized.