In some parts of the country, pet owners constantly struggle with tick prevention, especially in the warm months. Ticks are small arachnids that attach to a mammal host to suck blood. Unfortunately, several common species of ticks carry deadly diseases, so preventing ticks from infesting your home is very important. Once ticks have invaded your home, you'll have to take several measures to kill ticks safely.
Things You'll Need
- Vacuum cleaner
- Pesticides
- Pest control professional
Instructions
Vacuum the tick-infested area thoroughly. Remove as many ticks as possible with the vacuum. If at all possible, avoid touching any ticks with your bare hands.
Place the sealed vacuum bag in the freezer. Leaving the bag in the freezer for more than 48 hours will kill most of the ticks trapped inside.
Wash all affected bedding or other washable items from the infested area in the washing machine with detergent and hot water. Afterward, wash your own hands thoroughly with hot, soapy water.
Apply an appropriate tick-killing pesticide. Pyrethrums are plant-based and safest for indoor use, since they break down very quickly. Utilizing a pest control specialist is the safest way to apply any pesticide.
Remove the sealed vacuum bag from the freezer and dispose of it in the trash, unopened.