When it comes to dog ticks, there are several different ways to get rid of them. Luckily, you do not need special equipment or expensive products to successfully treat yourself or your pet. There are some simple steps that can be done at home to help clear out any tick encounters.
Here are some tips for how to get rid of dog ticks in your house!
Removing Tick Clippings
One of the first things that can be done to prevent re-infection is by thoroughly cleaning all debris left from the initial encounter with a tick. This includes scraping or pulling back any fur as well as looking under and around exposed areas like ankles and feet. For more difficult to remove ticks such as those near skin folds or inside the body, using a fine toothbrush or dental floss may be necessary to fully extract the creature.
Once everything has been cleaned, make sure to discard any contaminated materials away from food sources and being flushed down the toilet. Never burn these items because both water and flame can spread infectious agents. Also, if possible, try to avoid shaking or moving the animal while the tick is still attached so that they do not detach and potentially transmit other pathogens.
Natural Remedies For Dogs With Parasite Treatment
Another way to naturally de-tick an animal is through use of natural remedies. Many people swear by using garlic or citrus oil to scrape off the parasite. Both of these have shown some success when used correctly.
Use a topical pesticide
The best way to get rid of dog ticks is by using a topical pesticide. These are products you apply directly onto the skin where a tick would likely live or eat its next meal.
Products containing permethrin (such as Frontline) are your safest bet, because this compound has been shown to be very effective against dogs’ hair follicle-embedded ticks!
You can use these treatments every few days for up to one month at a time, depending on how long it takes to completely clear out all of the ticks.
If needed, repeat the treatment until there are no longer any signs that a tick was present. It may take several rounds to get rid of all of them!
Note: Make sure you don’t wash off the product, only rub it into the skin. Also, do not ingest the product; instead, spit or swallow it like you would an oral pill.
It’s important to remember that even if you have used a good number of treatments, yourself or for others, there is still a chance you will need external antibiotics to treat anyone who gets bit. This could include treating the patient yourself with a topical antibiotic cream, taking their temperature, and giving them pain medicine so they feel better.
Dog owners often worry about leaving their pets alone while applying the treatments, but most puppies and adult dogs won’t go near the area after being sprayed.
Use a tick removal cream
Recent developments for dog tick control include applying an antimicrobial cream onto your skin to help eliminate ticks that have just emerged. Unfortunately, there are not many FDA-approved products for this purpose so it is important to do your research before investing in one!
Fortunately, you can find lots of tips and tricks online or through friends who had success with different brands. Many people report good results using cold remedies like alcohol or rubbing alcohol as a wash for exposed areas, and then spraying the area with insect spray (like roach killer) to prevent them from spreading. Some use olive oil as a last resort to apply directly onto the tick to remove it.
If these attempts fail, try searching for “tick removal” or “dog tick treatment” on YouTube to see if anyone has more specific recommendations. Sometimes someone else will describe their experience successfully and offer helpful information as well.
Use a spot treatment
One of the most common ways to get rid of dog ticks is by using a topical product that contains pyrethroids, which are an active ingredient.
These products can be applied directly onto the skin or used as a spray or wipe to remove the tick who has already bitten into your flesh.
The ones that work best contain pyrethrins or pyrethroids along with another compound such as xylitol to help reduce bacterial growth while drying the skin.
Some people may experience a slight tingling or burning when applying the treatments, but this usually goes away within minutes. It depends on how sensitive you are to pain where ever you apply the treatement!
Removing a dog tick via pinching it off is not recommended unless done properly because it could cause infection. You should use the tools/tips that have been verified to be effective.
Seal your home and yard with a tick-control product
After washing yourself, any exposed skin should be protected by rubbing in a good quality dog tick control spray or cream. If using a spray, make sure you have spread it all over your body to ensure full coverage!
Never use alcohol as a tick removal tool because this can actually hurt ticks!
It may also cause drying out of the skin which could help re-attach the tick later. Using heat or warm water to remove the tick is better than using chemicals since future exposure events are prevented.
Removing dogs’ fur close to their skin where ticks like to latch onto them helps prevent tick bites too. For more tips, read our article about how to get rid of dog ticks.
Check yourself for ticks
It is very important to check yourself, your child, and your pets for signs of tick infestations. You should also check your house and yard for any debris that could be covered up with soil or grass.
Tick-infested feces can remain infectious until they are completely digested so it is essential to wash all exposed areas (such as hands) right away!
If you find a tick, it must be pulled slowly, using tweezers. Never use your hand to pull a tick because this may hurt it more. After removing the tick, rinse its area of skin thoroughly with water to prevent spreading other diseases such as Lyme disease.
It is best to perform these checks during spring and summer months when there is an increase in tick activity.
Get a tick check up from your family doctor
A dog tick is any species of tick that parasitizes upon blood to feed on. These ticks can be quite small, even requiring a high level eye-beam to spot them.
They are usually found attached to hairy areas such as ankles or paws where they ingest some blood. When a dog tick drinks enough blood, it will burst its internal sacs and release an anticoagulant which prevents their blood from clotting. This allows for more time to search for other meals and helps the tick survive![1]
Dog ticks typically live about a week before burrowing into dry skin to either hibernate or find another host. If you notice symptoms such as swelling, pain, redness, or bumps around the area where the tick was located, see your doctor immediately.[2]
It is very important to look at yourself and your dogs closely for possible signs of a tick. You may also need to have someone help you pull out the tick. It is best to use tweezers or sterilized forceps so as not to spread any infectious fluids.
Practice good hygiene
It’s not enough to simply wash your hands or brush your hair after visiting a dog, you have to make sure that you don’t leave any bits of fur, dirt, or saliva behind.
Likewise, it’s important to make sure that you don’t neglect other areas of the body like feet and ankles where ticks can get stuck and start feeding.
Not only could this pose a health risk for you, but it could also spread diseases from tick to human.
Since dogs do most of the work picking up and spreading disease, it is their owner’s responsibility to be as careful with them as possible to prevent unnecessary illness.
If your dog has been exposed to a lot of wildlife then they are more likely to pick up ticks, so practicing good canine grooming will help keep yourself and others safe.
Use a repellent
The best way to get rid of dog ticks is by using preventative measures. You can do this before they even hatch or spend time feeding on your pet.
There are several different types of products that claim to be effective against dogs, cats, and other mammals. Many of these are made from oils or chemicals that work as an irritant to keep the tick away. Some drop-off treatments require leaving the animal for a few minutes after application to ensure effectiveness.
Some studies show limited success when applying certain products directly onto a dog’s coat. Instead, use a washcloth or piece of cloth to apply the product to the skin where the tick usually attaches. This helps spread the cream more evenly and possibly allows some to soak into the tissues where the larvae grow.
Removing a dog’s hair is important since most ticks live under the skin near blood vessels. If you notice any red bumps or lumps that may have come out, make sure to check with your doctor. Sometimes people develop a rash due to a reaction to the saliva of the tick.