Q&A for How to Get Rid of Ticks Around Your Home

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Where can I buy boric acid and botanical dust to use in my house?

Lauren Kurtz
Professional Gardener
Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.

Lauren Kurtz

Professional Gardener

Expert Answer

You should be able to find boric acid and botanical dust at most garden centers, box stores, and farm supply stores.

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In which kind of environment are ticks usually found?

Lauren Kurtz
Professional Gardener
Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.

Lauren Kurtz

Professional Gardener

Expert Answer

Ticks are typically found in wet, humid environments that are shaded from the sun.

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How can ticks be killed in an instant?

Community Answer

You can either use a strong insecticide, a flamethrower, or a bomb.

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How long do ticks live?

Community Answer

Ticks can live up to 550 days without food. When they do find a host, they feed for 3-7 days.

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Question

I have gotten rid of the ticks around my house but they keep coming back. What can I do to keep them away permanently?

Community Answer

You can't; they crawl and drop off of other critters that travel. We have to spray regularly to keep them at bay.

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If I find a tick on my wall, does that mean there are a lot more ticks in my house?

Community Answer

Definitely. Spray around all windows, doors and baseboards and take appropriate action with animals that may bring ticks in from outside (long lasting tick collars are best or use a monthly topical).

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Do ticks lay eggs?

Community Answer

Definitely. They can lay 2,000-18,000 eggs.

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Do you have any other tips if I no longer have animals?

Community Answer

Ticks can live without nourishment in dark areas for up to 2 years. Spray above all baseboards, around cupboards, etc. monthly to keep them from hatching. Outside, continue to clean up brush, leaves, etc. for the next year at least.

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Can ticks live in dirt?

Community Answer

Yes. They can be anywhere. They typically like to be in shady places.

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Can ticks or fleas live in my bed?

Community Answer

Yes, they can.

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If there are ticks on me, what do I use to get them off?

Community Answer

There are special spoons with a slit in them to get tick off without causing tick vomit to get in you. These spoons are sold on eBay, Amazon and at pet stores, and some veterinarians carry them. Dispose of the tick outside in a cup of alcohol, put 2 plastic cups one of top of another trapping tick in bottom cup with alcohol to kill it. Keep the cups outside. Put antibiotic on your tick bite. See the doctor if it gets infected.

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Question

How can I get rid of any ticks for an upcoming wedding?

Community Answer

Pesticides are your best bet. Peppermint is rumored to help as well. Make sure any brush is cut back, as ticks hide in overgrown grass and brush.

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Question

If you get bit, what will happen?

Community Answer

You'll just need to remove it: https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Tick

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Can rabbits have ticks?

Community Answer

Any mammal is susceptible to ticks, including rabbits.

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I found a tick inside my ear. Should I be concerned?

Community Answer

Yes! You should go to the ER as soon as you can to get it removed by a medical professional.

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Do ticks live under a human's skin?

Community Answer

No, although they like to attach to areas such as your armpits or groin. When checking your body for ticks, you must check these areas thoroughly.

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Question

Is putting a lit match on the rear of a tick or putting nail polish on their rears effective for safe removal?

Community Answer

No! Gently but firmly pulling them out with fine-tipped tweezers as close to the skin as possible is the recommended method.

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Question

My dog has hundreds of tiny ticks on her. She must have stepped on a nest. I have been bathing her with a chemical they gave me in the pet store, and also Dawn, but they are not dying. What can I do?

Community Answer

Go to your vet or pet shop and get either a drop-on tick and flea treatment (e.g. Frontline, Frontline Plus, or Advantix), or buy a chewable tablet called NexGard. I used Nexgard when my golden retriever had a problem and it worked within hours to kill all the ticks that were biting him or bit him over the next month. In addition to this, I swapped his weekly shampoo to a flea and tick soap. Remember to leave it on for at least 5 minutes or longer if you can, and really work it into the fur for long or thick coated dogs. Use a pair of tweezers to physically remove as many ticks as you can find on his fur. You may need a friend to hold and occupy the dog whilst you do this. Put the ticks into soapy water.

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Question

What pesticide can I use to get rid of ticks?

Community Answer

For ticks inside the home you can use Black Flag, since it's considered safe to use on upholstered furniture. The same brand also makes one for outdoors, it can be found at Home Depot.

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What causes me to get ticks?

Community Answer

Ticks will be attracted to you or your pet when walking in tall grasses or woods. You didn't do anything. You walked into their home and they found you as a host.

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Can ticks live inside me?

Community Answer

Definitely not. On the other hand, other types of critters can. For example, Ascaris.

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What do a tick's eggs look like?

Community Answer

They usually look similar to shiny sand or small pebbles, and vary from brown to black in color.

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Are ticks bad for humans?

Community Answer

Yes, ticks are bad for humans. They may carry diseases that if not treated early, may lead to serious complications later on.

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