Finding ticks inside your home can be unsettling, especially since these tiny creatures carry diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. If you spot a tick indoors, it’s important to act quickly to protect yourself, your family, and your pets.
First, try to identify the tick type if possible, such as black-legged or dog ticks, to understand potential risks. Avoid direct contact by wearing gloves and covering exposed skin to prevent bites. Keep children and pets away from the area until you’ve dealt with the ticks.
To get rid of ticks inside your home, thoroughly clean the space. Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery, especially focusing on corners and crevices where ticks like to hide. Wash bedding, pet bedding, and any clothes the ticks might have contacted in hot water.
If you find a tick attached to someone, remove it carefully using fine-tipped tweezers. Grab the tick as close to the skin as possible, pulling it straight up with steady pressure without twisting, to avoid leaving parts behind. Clean the bite area with soap and alcohol, and dispose of the tick by placing it in rubbing alcohol or flushing it down the toilet.
After removal, watch for any signs of illness, such as rash, fever, or fatigue, in the bitten person or pet, and consult a doctor if symptoms appear. Prevention is key—keep your lawn trimmed, remove leaf litter near your home, and consider professional pest control if ticks become a persistent problem.
Taking these steps can help keep ticks from turning your home into an unwelcome host.
