What should you do when there are ticks in the house? - briefly
Inspect all rooms, locate and safely remove any ticks, then vacuum and disinfect surfaces before applying a suitable acaricide and checking pets for infestation.
What should you do when there are ticks in the house? - in detail
If you discover ticks inside your residence, act promptly to eliminate the infestation and prevent future occurrences.
First, confirm the presence of ticks. Examine pets, bedding, carpets, and furniture for live insects or their droppings. Use a fine-toothed comb or a lint roller to collect specimens for identification.
Next, isolate affected areas. Remove pets from rooms where ticks have been found and place them in a secure, tick‑free space. Seal windows and doors to reduce entry points.
Proceed with thorough cleaning:
- Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery repeatedly; discard the vacuum bag or clean the canister immediately after each session.
- Wash all bedding, curtains, and removable fabric items in hot water (minimum 130 °F / 54 °C) and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes.
- Mop hard floors with a solution containing 0.1% permethrin or an EPA‑approved insecticide; follow label instructions for concentration and contact time.
- Treat pet bedding and grooming tools with the same hot‑water protocol or a suitable acaricide approved for animal use.
Apply targeted chemical control where necessary. Spray a residual acaricide in cracks, baseboards, and under furniture, ensuring coverage of at least 1 mm depth. For indoor plants and outdoor‑adjacent zones, use a horticultural oil spray to suffocate ticks on vegetation.
After chemical treatment, conduct a second round of vacuuming to remove dead ticks and residues. Seal or discard any items that cannot be adequately cleaned.
Implement preventive measures to block re‑entry:
- Maintain a tidy yard, trimming grass and removing leaf litter within a 3‑foot perimeter of the house.
- Install door sweeps and weather stripping to close gaps around entryways.
- Use tick‑preventive products on pets, such as topical spot‑on treatments or oral medications, as recommended by a veterinarian.
- Conduct regular inspections of pets and living spaces, especially after outdoor activities.
Finally, monitor the situation for at least four weeks. Record any new sightings and repeat the cleaning and treatment cycle if necessary. Consistent vigilance and proper sanitation will eradicate the current problem and significantly lower the risk of future indoor tick infestations.