I like to think of myself as someone who understands and respects all creatures—even spiders and snakes don’t bother me much. But ticks are where I draw the line. Unlike other creepy crawlies, ticks aren’t just annoying; they can be dangerous. They’re known carriers of illnesses such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which makes finding them in your home a serious concern.
Depending on where you live, the season, and whether you have pets, encountering ticks indoors is entirely possible. So what should you do if you spot one in your home?
Identify and isolate
Try to determine the type of tick—black-legged, dog, or brown dog tick. If it’s in a specific spot, keep children and pets away until it’s dealt with.
Protect yourself
Wear gloves and long sleeves when handling anything near the tick. This reduces the chance of it latching onto your skin.
Clean thoroughly
Wash any clothing or bedding the tick may have touched using high heat. Vacuum the area well, focusing on corners and crevices.
Remove the tick properly
Using fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick close to the skin and pull upward slowly without twisting. Clean the bite area with alcohol or soapy water, then dispose of the tick safely—either in alcohol or by flushing it.
Monitor the bite
Keep an eye on the area for any changes and watch for symptoms in anyone who was bitten.