Ticks on bedding can live for up to ten days without food or water. This is because of their slow metabolism state which enables them to survive for up to two weeks without endangering their own lives. Ticks also use a cell protective membrane that keeps them from drying out, but more importantly, protects them from the environment around them and any attempts to kill them.
They need clean skin in order to survive; they are able to find it in bedding since they can detect body warmth, chemicals released by humans, and humidity levels that make it comfortable for them to attach themselves on the skin. While searching for skin, these pests often hide in mattress seams and creases. They also often create homes in warm places such as carpets, beds and furniture that have not been vacuumed or steam cleaned recently.
Because of this long survival time period, prevention is much more important than treatment when it comes to ticks on bedding. It’s recommended to thoroughly inspect bedding before sleeping in it so you can identify any pest problems quickly and act on solving them straight away. Regular vacuuming plays an important role in tick control plans for those who sleep regularly on the same beds as pet animals. Also inspect your pets’ fur weekly for parasites, such as ticks or fleas during their outdoors time so if you see any signs – take immediate action by visiting a veterinarian right away.
What is a tick & where can they be found?
A tick is a tiny arachnid that feeds off the blood of animals. They are typically found in wooded, grassy or shrubby areas, but can also be picked up from attached animals like dogs or cats and carried into your home.
Ticks come in many this page shapes and sizes with one thing in common – they all rely on a host to survive. Ticks are incredible at hiding and can latch onto unsuspecting hosts for long periods of time before ever being noticed. In fact, some species of ticks may live on their host for over 2 years!
Ticks can transmit some serious illnesses such as Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, so if you have been out in those types of environments, it’s important to pay attention to any bites you may have received. If a tick is found living inside your house on bedding or other material, it should be collected and disposed of properly.
How long can a tick survive on bedding?
Ticks can survive for a long time on bedding, especially if the bedding is not washed frequently. In general, ticks can survive for up to two years without feeding or drinking, making them hard to eradicate as they can easily lay dormant in pillowcases and sheets until they find a suitable host.
In order to reduce the chances of an infestation, it’s important to wash bedding regularly — preferably at least once every three weeks — in hot water and with disinfectant bleach. This will kill any eggs or larvae that may be hidden in the fibres of the fabric and make your bed less attractive to ticks.
In addition, inspect your mattress regularly for signs of ticks or their blood trails as these will indicate if there are any ticks living on your bedding. If you do find any ticks, you should remove them immediately using tweezers and contact a professional pest control company for advice on how to manage your infestation properly.
Tips for avoiding ticks in bedding
In order to avoid ticks living in your bedding, there are a few tips that can come in handy.
First and foremost, it’s important to keep your room clean and tidy. Regularly wash the sheets in hot water and dry on high heat to kill any ticks that are clinging on to them. Vacuum carpets and furniture regularly, checking along the seams of your mattress for any potential nest sites where adult ticks might be hiding. Also, use specific tick repellent sprays or shampoos when you bathe your bedding before storing it away.
To avoid bringing ticks into the house altogether, it’s also a good idea to wear light coloured clothes outdoors since it is easier to spot any hitchhiking bugs before they make their way onto bedding. You should check for ticks after going outside for long periods of time or after extended trips outdoors. Some people like to go as far as setting up physical barricades such as netting around beds or spraying insect repellents around the bedroom as an extra precautionary measure against tick infestations.
Protecting your bed from ticks
Protecting your bed from ticks is an important part of avoiding the spread of tick-borne illnesses. Ticks can live on beds for a few weeks, so it’s important to take steps to prevent them from getting access in the first place.
One way to protect your bed is to make sure that it isn’t near any wooded areas or tall grass. If you must sleep near these areas, keep your bed tightly sealed with insect netting and repellent sprays. These methods should be enough to prevent most ticks from entering your bed.
It’s also a good idea to regularly inspect your bedding for any evidence of tick activity. Be sure to check all around the edges of your mattress and between the folds of sheets and blankets. Any evidence, such as tiny black dots or small pieces of shed skin, might indicate that you have a tick infestation. If you find anything suspicious, clean your bedding immediately and contact an exterminator for assistance
Signs you may have been bitten by a tick
One of the most important signs you may have been bitten by a tick is a bulls-eye rash. If your skin develops a red ring surrounding a smaller white area, this could be an indicator you may have contracted Lyme disease through a tick bite.
Other signs to look out for include muscle aches, fever and chills, joint swelling and stiffness, headache, fatigue and confusion. If you experience any of these along with the bulls-eye rash or after being bitten by a tick on bedding, you should seek medical attention immediately.
It’s also helpful to inspect bedding and clothing aloud where ticks are likely to be nesting – such as nooks and crannies in furniture or cracks between floor boards. Vacuuming regularly can also help reduce the chances of exposure.