How to get rid of ticks at home: 25 best remedies and methods of control

There is a misconception that ticks can only be found in forests or parks, but these small representatives of the arachnid class have made their way much further and have long been immediate neighbors of humans. Due to their small size, they are extremely difficult to notice, and some of the species can only be seen with a microscope. But such a neighborhood is absolutely unsafe, from bites to allergic reactions. In this case, the question arises: how to get rid of ticks in an apartment and prevent their reappearance? In this article we will look at the main types of ticks that settle in a person’s home and learn the most effective ways to destroy them.

Why are they dangerous?

The main danger of ticks is that they harm human health. Ticks are ectoparasites and causative agents of natural focal diseases. Pests are capable of transmitting various pathogens through the process of sucking blood.

Diseases

The most common diseases carried by ticks are borreliosis, ehrlichiosis and encephalitis. Infections are severe and can cause disability. As a rule, the diseases are chronic in nature and have a long rehabilitation period of up to a year. In addition to the diseases listed above, ticks carry:

spotted fever;
tularemia;
babesiosis;
tick-borne typhus

The variety of linen mites is not a blood-sucking pest, but these insects are also dangerous to humans. Microscopic excrement of insects along with dust penetrates the lungs and provokes the development of allergic reactions. In combination with a cold, allergies can cause bronchial asthma.

Allergy symptoms

The manifestation of disease symptoms depends on the pathogen that enters the human body after an insect bite. Since pests carry a large number of diseases, each of them is characterized by individual symptoms. In particular:

Borreliosis is characterized by the appearance of migraines, general fatigue of the body, fever, attacks of nausea and vomiting. The most pronounced sign of the disease is a rash on the skin in the form of a ring-shaped redness.
Tick-borne encephalitis causes a sharp increase in temperature to 39 degrees. Other symptoms include muscle soreness, vomiting and migraines.
Ehrlichiosis is characterized by a sudden increase in body temperature and chills, joint pain, and a feeling of malaise. In severe cases, a skin rash appears.
Symptoms of tick-borne relapsing fever develop gradually over a couple of weeks. Primary signs are insomnia, lack of appetite and feeling weak. Subsequently, the temperature rises, pain in muscles and joints occurs, and a severe rash forms on the skin.

Neighborhood dangers

When it comes to blood-sucking or subcutaneous mites, there is no need to talk about danger; direct contact can cause many diseases, but everything is completely different when it comes to dust mites. Even taking into account regular cleaning, this type of mite is a constant neighbor of a person and becomes dangerous only when the level of dust exceeds 500 units per gram of dust.

In this case, the amount of their waste products significantly exceeds the norm and can cause a number of dangerous diseases, such as asthma, eczema, Quincke's edema, dermatitis, various skin inflammations and allergic reactions. If a rash regularly appears on the body, conjunctivitis does not go away, or allergies are tormented, then in 90% of cases these are the consequences of an undesirable neighborhood with an increased colony of mites, in which case you should definitely consult a dermatologist.

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Appearance and causes of appearance

The size of pests can reach 3 mm, but most often the size of insects is 0.1-0.5 mm. Insects are classified as arachnids, and as characteristic representatives of this species, they lack wings. Adult insects have 4 pairs of legs. Orientation in space in ticks occurs due to the sensory apparatus, since they do not have eyes. Pests are able to smell a person at a distance of up to 10 m. Based on their structure, mites are divided into leathery insects with fused head and body, and armored parasites with a movable head.

There are several common causes of pests in summer cottages or in residential premises. Once you discover a parasite infestation, it is important to find out the specific cause to prevent further reproduction.

Neighbours

In suburban areas, ticks can enter the area from neighbors or from the forest. If a neighbor's property has been attacked by a pest and no extermination measures have been taken, then there is a high probability of the insect spreading to adjacent areas.

New things and equipment

The smell of new things often attracts pests. This reason is especially relevant for new technical devices, which usually have a pronounced odor.

Animals

Many animals carry ticks and other insects. Pests live and lay eggs in the fur of dogs, cats and rodents. The population size of pests spread by this method is usually insignificant. You can notice the presence of parasites on pets by frequent scratching and gnawing of fur.

Habitats

Most tick species live in grass and tall bushes. Parasites choose to settle in areas deep in the forest, overgrown with grass at least 7 cm high. The higher the grass in the area, the more likely the pest is to attack humans and animals. Insects almost never stay on well-trodden paths or paved areas.

The type of forest for ticks is unimportant - they can be found in birch, fir and mixed forests. The only exception is the coniferous forest, where insects are rare. The parasite can be picked up in meadows, cattle pastures, in city parks, and on roadsides.

Basic

Dust mites live in the home. The main places where parasites accumulate include the following:

a garbage collection bag in a vacuum cleaner, where pests settle and actively reproduce;
bed linen, mattresses, blankets and pillows;
upholstered furniture;
rugs and carpets with high pile.

A variety of dust mites are an integral part of house dust. Parasites exist next to dead particles of human and animal skin, cellulose, various fibers, excrement of other insects, and fungal spores.

How to detect

The microscopic size of ticks does not always allow them to be visually detected. If the pest has left a bite on the skin, then, depending on a number of factors, various signs will appear. A pronounced manifestation of an insect bite is observed in people suffering from allergic diseases, as well as in the elderly and children. In other situations, the bite may become painless and not noticed immediately.

The area affected by the pest is characterized by redness and slight swelling of the skin. In the center of the irritated area is a small dark dot left by the insect. If the parasite did not have time to fall off, then part of its small body can be seen over the redness.

Dust mites are absolutely impossible to see. You can suspect their appearance by painful symptoms and skin rashes.

Methods of control and prevention

If there is an infestation of ticks, you must immediately take measures to combat the parasites. To reduce the likelihood of pests reappearing, preventive measures must be taken.

Low temperature and humidity

Ticks live comfortably at high temperatures and excess air humidity. To combat the invasion of parasites, it is necessary to create a low temperature and reduce the humidity level. In the cold season, to eliminate insects, you can ventilate, and leave mattresses and bed linen on the balcony or outside and thoroughly beat them before returning them to their place. Also, dust mites die from washing bed linen at a temperature of 60 degrees.

Wet cleaning of the apartment

Regular wet cleaning and dusting eliminate the majority of insects and reduce the risk of their reproduction and spread. It is recommended to wipe the floor and baseboards with a salt solution, which has a more powerful effect against insects. A solution for wet cleaning against insects is prepared using the proportions of 5-7 tablespoons of salt per bucket of warm water.

Washing bed linen and upholstered furniture at high temperatures

Washing bed linen in a machine at high temperature destroys accumulated parasites. After washing, bedding should, if possible, be thoroughly dried in the open air or on a balcony with open windows. To combat insects, the upholstery of upholstered furniture can be periodically wiped with a cloth soaked in warm water or a specialized detergent.

Freezing

Exposure to extremely low temperatures is detrimental to insects, so parasites can be removed from small items, fabrics and clothing by freezing. It is enough to leave things in the freezer for several hours to destroy all ticks and other insects.

Special bedding

It is recommended to replace feather and down bedding with synthetic ones, since they are less likely to harbor parasites. The same should be done with upholstered furniture, including chairs and sofas made of down and feathers, which serve as a habitat for parasites.

Ciliate soil

Ciliate soil is often used in garden plots against pests. In dry form, decorative paths are treated with soil to prevent insects, and solutions with soil are used to spray vegetation that has been attacked by parasites. Infusor soil is also used to remove ticks and other pests from animal fur.

Eating edible soil removes parasites from the animal’s body and prevents their reproduction.

Minimum indoor plants

Dust mites love to settle on house plants and leave larvae on them. Parasites live in the soil and on the surface of the green parts of plants. Since processing plants takes a lot of time and does not guarantee complete destruction of insects, it is recommended to keep no more than a couple of pots in the room. This will reduce the number of pests.

Essential oils

There are several essential oils whose scent is repellent to ticks and other parasites. Common pest control options include geranium and palmarosa oils. To prepare a remedy against ticks, you need:

Mix 2 tablespoons of vegetable carrier oil and 10-25 drops of essential oil.
To protect against parasites, apply a few drops of the resulting solution to clothing and skin, avoiding areas around the eyes.

A mixture of essential and base oils to combat parasites can be stored for six months. After this period, the substance gradually loses its protective characteristics and has a worse effect on pests.

Vacuum cleaner

According to the principle of operation, a vacuum vacuum cleaner differs from the standard version. The equipment helps remove dust mites and insects from any soft surfaces, including furniture upholstery, carpets, curtains, bedding and toys. Immediately after surface treatment, it is quite difficult to notice the result and the absence of pests, so to assess the effectiveness it is worth looking into the filter where dust accumulates.

It is recommended to clean with a vacuum cleaner on a regular basis, combined with wet dusting, which will help to better get rid of parasites.

A little myth, but more reality!

Many people believe that house mites came to us from the bird nests of domestic birds. This hypothesis has a right to exist, because we all sleep on down pillows and cover ourselves with down blankets, which means the risk of ticks appearing in our homes is significantly high. Ticks are everywhere.

They feel great in hotels, apartments, houses, hairdressers, trains, theaters, laundries, etc. The most dangerous spreader of household mites is the vacuum cleaner. Yes, yes, don't be surprised. There is a huge amount of dust in the dust collector of a vacuum cleaner, and thanks to the heat that comes from the engine, mites can multiply there for many generations. When the vacuum cleaner is turned on, the mites are blown into the air. We all know the smell inherent in a vacuum cleaner. It is this smell that is a warning that ticks may appear in the house.

The most favorite place for ticks to live in an apartment is the bed . It is there that the person himself creates favorable living conditions for the tick. Favorable temperature of approximately 25 degrees, relative humidity, all this creates simply excellent conditions for the life and activity of ticks.

At the same time, a person spends a third of his life in bed, and no one can guarantee that there are no ticks there.

Additional precautions with pets

To prevent pets from becoming carriers of ticks and other insects, it is important to adhere to a number of rules and precautions. Including:

Regularly vaccinate your pets against ticks and parasites;
care for the coat and wash it thoroughly, removing ticks;
If you notice signs of the appearance of pests and the development of the disease (lethargy, fever, coloration of mucous membranes), contact a veterinarian.

Ventilation

Periodic ventilation helps control optimal humidity and temperature levels. During the cold season, ventilation of the room directly contributes to the destruction of pests, including ticks. To increase the effectiveness of the fight against parasites, it is recommended to ventilate the room as a whole and potentially dangerous objects separately - in the open air or on the balcony.

Rugs and slippers

Dirt brought into the apartment from the street is one of the reasons for the development of dust mites and other parasites. A large number of pests live on staircase landings. By using a grate mat at the outer door, it is possible to reduce the number of insects entering the apartment. Changing your shoes when entering the house into slippers also helps reduce the amount of dust and stop the development of mites. Rugs and slippers should be washed periodically for maximum effect and pest control.

Air filter and cleaner

Installing air purifiers with a built-in HEPA filter in an apartment can eliminate up to 90% of dangerous allergens and insects. In order for the purifiers to function properly and resist parasites, the filters should be constantly cleaned. When turning on the air purifier, you must close the windows in the room, otherwise its operation will be ineffective and some of the pests will remain in their original places.

Minimalism

Household clutter contributes to the active collection of dust, the emergence and reproduction of mites and other parasites. By sticking to minimalism and cleaning regularly, you can reduce the risk of insects.

It is recommended to remove all items that strongly attract dust and pests, including unnecessary decorations, books, stacks of papers, picture frames.

If possible, you should reduce the number of decorative pillows on upholstered furniture, and hang blinds instead of fabric curtains. It will also be helpful to remove thick pile carpeting where mites live. It is better to give preference to a tiled or wooden covering. This will not only eliminate dust mites, but will also simplify subsequent cleaning.

Steam generator

A steam generator is a device that heats water to a high temperature and converts it into steam. The equipment is used for processing furniture upholstery, carpets, and bedding. Steam generators differ in power rating, method and pressure of steam release, and other functional features. For home use, it is recommended to purchase a device with a power of at least 800 W. You can spray soft products with steam not only when signs of pest spread are detected, but also for preventive purposes.

Ozone generator

Ozone is a component of air and has oxidizing and disinfecting properties. Like other gases, ozone penetrates into the thickness of materials and interacts with mold, fungi and harmful microorganisms, including mites. The influence of ozone destroys pests and prevents their further spread.

The device is capable of producing up to 3500 mg of ozone per hour. Regularly turning on the air purification device allows you to destroy all bacteria, sterilize the air and remove unpleasant odors from the room. The ozone generator is easy to use and operates on electricity. To start the device, just plug it into a power outlet and leave it working indoors for the required period of time.

Where do ticks appear most often?

House.

You can find dust mites in the house, including bed and linen mites, as well as spider mites.

Forest.

In the forest there are various species of these insects that live on plants. Ixodid ticks, which carry dangerous diseases, pose a particular danger to people and animals.

Personal plot.

Here you can find a whole group of different mites that are dangerous to people and are pests of garden and vegetable crops: • ixodid • spider • gall • brown. Almost every fruit tree or bush can have a certain type of mite. They live on roses, currants, and various flowers. They also live in greenhouses.

Apartment.

Dust, linen and bed mites predominate. The appearance of cobwebs on indoor flowers is possible.

Chemicals for home control

Effective extermination of pests in residential areas is possible with the help of highly active chemicals. A powerful effect on ticks repels or kills them, preventing re-invasion.

Bedlam Plus

Bedlam Plus is produced in aerosol form and is intended to combat ticks and their eggs, fleas, beetles, bedbugs and other harmful insects in residential areas. The substance can be used to treat bedding, carpets, upholstery and toys. The required surface is sprayed with an aerosol and then left for a couple of hours. After using Bedlam Plus, you should wash the treated product.

Acaril

Acaril is a component added during washing of textile materials. The product contains a mixture of alcohols, surfactants and tea tree oil in a suspension of methyl salicylate. The purpose of Acaril is to eliminate dust mites and combat allergens. The substance is safe for colored fabrics and produces results when washed in water of any temperature.

All-Rug

Highly concentrated All-Rug shampoo is suitable for treating carpets, upholstered furniture, mattresses and bedding. The product can be added to a washing vacuum cleaner. The main advantages of All-Rug include the following:

slight foaming;
anti-mite purpose;
the ability to clean pile, eliminate insect allergens and prevent the proliferation of pests.

X-mite

X-mite powder is used to kill allergens caused by dust mites, pets and various pests. The optimal frequency of processing bedding, carpets and upholstery is once every 3-4 months.

Allergoff

Allergoff is available in a form designed to spray a surface up to 20 square meters in size. The aerosol ensures the destruction of dust mites at all stages of their spread. After treatment, the effect lasts for six months. Spraying with Allergoff spray must be combined with treatment with an anti-allergenic drug.

"Dobrohim Micro"

The Dobrokhim Micro insecticidal agent is intended to combat household pests, including dust mites. The drug has become widespread due to the following advantages:

contact and intestinal effects on parasites;
long-lasting effect for 6 months, eliminating the need for frequent treatment;
activity under unfavorable conditions (high humidity and temperature, direct exposure to ultraviolet rays);
minimal danger to pets;
no unpleasant odor or streaks after treatment.

"Raid"

"Raid" belongs to the category of insecticidal preparations and destroys dust mites within a week after use. The composition stops the ability of pests to reproduce and affects insects even in remote places. After using the insecticide, no traces or pungent odor remain.

"Acaritox"

"Acaritox" has a combined insecticidal and acaricidal effect against ticks. The drug destroys pests and prevents their recurrence for several months.

"Cypermethrin"

Household insecticide "Cypermethrin" is suitable for use in residential premises and outdoors. The drug is especially effective in the fight against blood-sucking parasites.

Tea tree oil

A mixture of 50 ml of water and 10 drops of oil is used to treat clothing against insects before going into the forest. You can also use tea tree oil at home by treating household items with the solution.

Biological drugs

If there are children on the site, aggressive chemicals are contraindicated. Here you can get by with no less effective, but at the same time relatively safe biological drugs. These have proven themselves well:

Apollo;
Fitoverm;
Aktofit;
Vermitek.

Unlike chemicals, biological compounds can be used during the flowering or fruiting period of plants. Most drugs are resistant to rain. But here the tick does not die immediately after treatment, but within 3-5 days.