What to Do If You Find Ticks Inside Your Home—and How to Prevent Them

indoors simply because one was carried inside.

Common ways they enter include:

  • Pets returning from outdoor areas
  • Clothing worn in grass or wooded areas
  • Backpacks and outdoor equipment
  • Shoes and other personal belongings

Some tick species, including the brown dog tick, can infest indoor environments, so repeated sightings deserve more attention.

5 Simple Ways to Reduce the Risk

1. Check Your Pets

After outdoor activity, inspect your dog or cat carefully. Regular checks can help catch ticks before they have an opportunity to spread through the home.

2. Wash or Dry Outdoor Clothing

The CDC recommends putting dry clothing in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes after coming indoors. If clothing is damp, additional drying time may be necessary.

3. Keep the Yard Less Tick-Friendly

Keep grass and weeds trimmed, reduce leaf piles, and keep wood piles neat. Creating a separation between lawns and wooded areas can also

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