Most of us can handle the occasional spider or stray ant without panicking, but ticks are a different story. These tiny, silent hitchhikers aren’t just unpleasant—they can carry serious diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. And while most people expect to encounter them outdoors, you’d be surprised how often they make their way inside, especially if you have pets or live in an area with tall grass, wildlife, or wooded surroundings.
If you ever spot a tick crawling across your floor, hiding in bedding, or—worst-case scenario—latched onto someone in your home, don’t panic. A few simple steps can help you stop the problem quickly, safely, and effectively.
First, identify and isolate the tick.
Try to determine what type it is—black legged, dog tick, or brown dog tick—because some species behave differently indoors. Keep pets and children away from the area where you found it, and avoid touching the tick directly. Most indoor tick problems start with a single hitchhiker, but brown dog ticks can actually reproduce inside houses if not addressed quickly.
Next, protect yourself and clean thoroughly.
Before handling the tick or the surrounding area, put on gloves and long sleeves to avoid accidental bites. Wash bedding, clothing, or blankets the tick may have touched using high heat—ticks can survive warm cycles but not high temperatures. Vacuum the surrounding floor carefully, paying extra attention to corners and crevices where they like to hide. Dispose of the vacuum contents outside immediately.