Ticks are small parasitic organisms that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and reptiles. They are external parasites, meaning they live on the outside of their host’s body. Ticks can sometimes grab onto clothing or hair and be carried inside homes, where they may later find a host to feed on. This raises an important question: how long can ticks survive on clothes if they latch on?
Can ticks survive in the laundry?
Many people wonder if ticks can survive a trip through the washing machine and dryer. The good news is that standard laundry care can kill ticks. Washing clothes in hot water (at least 130°F) and then putting them in the dryer on high heat for at least 15 minutes will kill any ticks living on the clothes. The combination of hot water and high heat is lethal for ticks.
However, it’s important to carefully check clothes for ticks before laundering. Do a thorough tick check after any potential tick exposure, examining the clothes, head, and body closely. Finding and removing ticks before washing will help ensure they don’t survive the laundry process.
How long can ticks survive on clothes you are wearing?
If a tick latches onto clothing you are wearing, how long can it survive there looking for exposed skin to bite? Unfortunately, quite awhile. Ticks can survive for surprisingly long stretches without feeding, allowing them to live for days or even weeks on clothing.
Specifically, different tick species can survive without a blood meal for:
- Blacklegged tick: Up to 100+ days
- American dog tick: 30-90 days
- Brown dog tick: 70-140 days
- Lone star tick: Up to a year
During this time, ticks will remain firmly attached to clothing and actively seek out a host to bite. Every time you put on that item of clothing, check it carefully for any sign of ticks. Also do full-body tick checks after wearing clothes that may have ticks on them.
Will ticks die if left on clothes overnight?
You may be wondering if you can just leave clothes with ticks outside overnight and let nature take its course. Unfortunately, this is not an effective strategy for killing ticks.
Ticks are rugged survivors well-adapted to external conditions. Leaving infested clothes outdoors overnight, even in very cold temperatures, will usually not be enough to kill the ticks. Here are temperature and time thresholds required to kill some common tick species:
| Tick Species | Lethal Cold Temperature | Time Needed at That Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Blacklegged tick | -10°F (-23°C) | At least 4 days |
| American dog tick | Below -10°F (-23°C) | At least 2 days |
| Lone star tick | 5°F (-15°C) | At least 1 day |
As you can see, even very cold temperatures need to be maintained for days to guarantee tick death. Simply leaving clothes outside overnight, even in winter, won’t completely kill the ticks. The most reliable way to kill ticks on clothing is through laundering, drying, or professional pest control treatments.
Will ticks eventually die on their own on clothes?
Given how long they can survive between feedings, you may wonder if ticks ever die on their own without finding a host. The answer is yes, but it can take a very long time.
Without the nourishment from blood meals, ticks will eventually expire from lack of food. However, as mentioned earlier, most species can persist for months without feeding. Here are some estimates for how long different ticks can survive without feeding:
- Deer tick: Up to 2 years
- American dog tick: Up to 2 years
- Brown dog tick: Up to 18 months
- Lone star tick: Up to nearly a year
As you can see, ticks are built to endure many months or even years without eating. So you can’t count on ticks dying off quickly on their own without help. The best practice is to launder, dry, or treat clothing as soon as possible after finding ticks to ensure their removal.
Do tick sprays and repellents work on clothes?
You may be wondering if treating clothes with tick repellent sprays or Permethrin will kill ticks or cause them to detach. The answer is yes, these products are effective against ticks on clothing.
Permethrin is an insecticide and repellent commonly used to treat clothing and outdoor gear against ticks. It both repels and kills ticks on contact. Permethrin binds tightly to clothing fibers, remaining effective through several washings.
General tick repellent sprays can also be applied to clothing. Look for EPA-registered products containing repellents like DEET or picaridin. Always carefully follow instructions when applying repellents to clothes.
Perform tick checks after any possible exposure, even on treated clothes. But repellent sprays and permethrin can provide added protection against ticks on clothing between washings.
Can ticks survive a dryer cycle alone?
Running infested clothes through a hot dryer cycle can be an effective way to kill ticks at home without washing. But how long in the dryer is needed to finish off ticks?
Research suggests that a standard 60-90 minute high heat dryer cycle is sufficient to kill ticks. The combination of sustained high temperatures of 120°F-140°F and dry conditions causes desiccation and death.
Lower heat drying cycles may not maintain the temperatures needed for a full tick kill. Always check clothing carefully for any remaining live ticks after hot drying.
As an added precaution, you can put freshly dried clothes in a plastic bag and seal it for 2 weeks. This prevents any surviving ticks from escaping and ultimately causes their demise.
Can ticks survive a freezer overnight?
Freezing is an effective way to kill ticks at home, but how long in the freezer is necessary? Research suggests that most common tick species will die after exposure for 1-24 hours at temperatures below -4°F (-20°C).
To freeze ticks overnight, set a freezer to at least -4°F and seal infested items in plastic bags. In the morning, dispose of any dead ticks found on clothing by submerging them in alcohol or flushing down the toilet.
Freezing overnight provides a quick tick kill without damaging clothing. But always do a final inspection for any remaining live ticks after removing frozen items.
Should you dry clean clothes with ticks?
Some people may wonder if dry cleaning is an option for treating tick-infested clothing. However, dry cleaning is not recommended as a sole treatment method.
The chemicals used in dry cleaning, including perchloroethylene and hydrocarbon solvents, are not known to be lethal to ticks. There is no evidence that standard dry cleaning alone will kill all ticks on clothes.
The heat from professional steam pressing may kill some ticks. But there is still a risk of ticks surviving and re-emerging from dry cleaned garments.
Laundering, drying, freezing, and fumigation treatments are more reliable methods for killing ticks on clothing.
Conclusion
Ticks can survive on clothing for surprisingly long periods without feeding – some species for over a year. But proper laundry care can quickly kill ticks on clothes in most cases. Heat drying, freezing, and repellent sprays also help kill and deter ticks from clinging to clothing.
Always thoroughly inspect and remove any found ticks from clothes as soon as possible. Take extra precautions when storing clothing previously exposed to ticks. Addressing clothes that may contain ticks quickly and properly helps prevent ticks successfully hitchhiking into your home.