How to Survive a Tick Infestation

What is this little bump on your skin? It’s a tick. And there’s another one. Oh, no. They’re everywhere.

Ticks can do more than bury their heads in your skin and drink your blood. They can cause severe damage to your organs and even kill you. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Ticks are smart arachnids that live in warm, moist areas. And they only feed on blood. Some of these little vampires crouch and wait, hiding in bushes and grass, waiting for a victim to pounce on. Others hunt you viciously.

Each female can lay thousands of eggs, so all it takes is for one tick to get onto your clothes or under your skin to cause an infestation in your home. And guess what? Some of them can infect you with Lyme’s Disease or the deadly Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

So we collected the best tips to help you survive a tick infestation at home. And no, my friend, those little tweezers won’t be enough to save you this time.

What is the deadliest tick species? How can you identify them? How can you protect your home from a tick infestation?

Step 1: Cover Your Skin

Every time you go outdoors you’re an easy prey for ticks, so you need to dress appropriately. The more skin you cover on your body, the safer you’ll be from these little vampires getting into your home. Use long sleeves and pants.

Close the access to your body with some kind of ties or, well, putting your pant into your socks. That might not be sexy, but it’ll keep you safe. When you get back home, put every piece of clothing in the washing machine and take deep shower to wash any invader off.

Step 2: Cut Your Lawn

If you have a garden or live surrounded by nature, you should build a barrier around your garden to prevent unwanted animals from entering it. They can carry these dangerous critters with them. You should keep your grass mowed and free of debris. And don’t throw old furniture or mattresses there.

Build a gravel barrier between your house and lawn. This will separate your home from the hot, humid environment that ticks depend on and prevent ticks from migrating into your home.

Step 3: Watch Their Backs

Some species of ticks, like the American dog tick or the Rocky Mountain wood tick, can transmit deadly diseases. Both transmit the deadly Rocky Mountain spotted fever. It’s the most dangerous tick-borne disease according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

If the ticks invading your home are brown with a light-colored mark on their backs, you should collect one and rush to the hospital. The tick could be one of these two deadly species.

Step 4: Check Your Moist Spots

If you find a tick in your home, immediately check every corner of the house. Look for the dampest and warmest spots. Clean the places where your pets hang out. And check yourself and your pet for ticks. They prefer warm, moist areas such as the armpits, groin, scalp and nape of the neck.

Step 5: Exterminate them

But what if there are too many of them? If ticks have taken over, you’ll have to fight back. Fortunately, almost all pesticides can kill these invaders. So you can arm yourself at your local store and wipe out these suckers.