How To Get Rid Of Ticks In South Africa
What are Ticks?
Ticks are parasitic arachnids that are part of the mite superorder Parasitiformes. Adult ticks are approximately 3 to 5 mm in length depending on age, sex, species, and “fullness”. Ticks are external parasites, living by feeding on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians.
Tick infestations can occur when just one tick is brought into the home. It’s possible for you to come into contact with a tick if there are wooded or brushy areas near your home and you’re outdoors when the weather is warm. The tick will attach itself somewhere on your body and bury its head into your skin.
How To Get Rid Of Ticks In South Africa
De-clutter your home. Although ticks are found outdoors, indoor infestations of the brown dog tick are not uncommon. This kind of tick feeds on dogs and other animals and prefers warm, dry conditions.
- The first step in removing these ticks is to de-clutter your home, because ticks hide almost anywhere. Pick up items from the floor, and don’t leave dirty laundry lying around. Your tick infestation is an opportunity to do a little spring-cleaning.
Wash dirty clothes in hot water. Ticks attach to dirty clothing or bed linens. Wash clothes or linens you suspect may be tick-infected in the hottest water suitable for the fabric type.
- Avoid leaving dirty laundry on the floor, and if you suspect any clothes or linens might have ticks, do not put them in the laundry hamper, because this will contaminate the other clothes. Put them straight into the washing machine.
Clean your house thoroughly. The next step is to clean your entire home thoroughly from top to bottom. Clean out shelves, dust forgotten corners and sweep, mop, and vacuum all floors.
- Your vacuum cleaner will be your best friend during the tick-removal process, because you can suck up ticks from all over the house; in animal bedding, in cracks in the floor and wall, on baseboards and crown molding, and on and underneath furniture.
- Be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag afterwards.
Dust your home with pesticide. Once your house is cleaned and decluttered, and you have physically removed as many ticks as possible, you will need to use pesticides to kill any remaining ticks and their eggs.
- To kill tick eggs and larva, you need to lightly dust all areas of your home with a pesticide contain boric acid and botanical extracts. Sprinkle a little extra dust around your pet’s bedding, which is a favorite laying spot.
- To kill the adults, use a pyrethrin-based pesticide spray designed especially for getting rid of brown dog ticks. This is safe for humans and pets and works quickly.
- Spray this pesticide all over the home. Don’t forget carpets and curtains, and the underside of tables, chairs and sofas. Make sure to read the label for exact directions.
- Read the directions on the pesticide to see if people and animals have to leave the area for a certain amount of time after the pesticide is used.
Treat indoor pets. Indoor pets, usually dogs, are the number one source of tick infestations. Dogs can carry ticks in from outdoors, or catch them from other animals in the kennel or the local neighborhood.
- First you need to physically remove any ticks that are using your animal as a host, then treat the dog with a topical tick-killing product containing ingredients such as fipronil, amitraz or permethrin. Ask your veterinarian for suggestions.
- You may also invest in a tick-repelling collar for your pet. These will keep ticks from latching onto your cat or dog for approximately three months. These collars can be difficult to find in stores, so ask your vet, or shop online.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
What can kill ticks instantly in South Africa?
Bleach: Bleach contains powerful chemicals that can instantly kill ticks. Place the tick in a small container that contains bleach. Rubbing alcohol: Rubbing alcohol can kill ticks for good.
What home remedy kills ticks South Africa?
Both eucalyptus and neem oil will kill ticks on contact. To use these essential oils to get rid of ticks, combine 4 ounces of purified water into a spray bottle, along with 30 drops of your carrier oil of choice. Shake well and spray anywhere you want to kill ticks.
Can alcohol kill ticks in South Africa?
Alcohol. Rubbing alcohol will kill fleas and ticks, but if you’re going to use alcohol, make sure to use it correctly. Experts recommend dropping fleas or ticks into a glass or jar filled with rubbing alcohol. “Don’t pour alcohol on a tick that’s on your dog,” Dr.
Does baking soda kill ticks?
Was this answer helpful? Apple cider and baking soda will not be an effective tick remedy. There are several good products on the market that are effective against ticks that your family veterinarian will be able to help you with. I recommend you make an appointment with a veterinarian for an assessment.
What time of day are ticks most active in South Africa ?
Research from the 80s suggests that adult and nymphal ticks were the most active during their study, which was from 6 a.m. – 9 p.m., but most active from 6 a.m. – noon.
Do ticks just go away?
If you don’t find the tick and remove it first, it will fall off on its own once it is full. This usually happens after a few days, but it can sometimes take up to two weeks.
Can vinegar kill ticks?
Vinegar itself does not kill ticks; however, it can be used to help remove the ticks once they have burrowed into the skin. Fill a cup with undiluted, white distilled vinegar. Soak a cotton ball or cotton swab in the vinegar and touch it to the butt end of the tick.
After a tick is brought into your home, a tick infestation may occur once the tick reproduces. Ticks can lay their eggs in different parts of the home. However, they typically lay their eggs near baseboards, window and door surrounds, furniture, edges of rugs, and curtains.
Do ticks multiply in your house?
These ticks live in rodent burrows and feed on hosts, including people and pets, while they sleep. Both of these species of ticks are able to reproduce and lay eggs indoors, which is why they can settle in and live within the home environment.
How long can ticks live in a house?
In a typical house environment, unfed deer ticks aren’t likely to survive 24 hours. Because they like high humidity, ticks on moist clothing in a hamper can survive 2-3 days. Ticks that have taken a blood meal may survive a bit longer.
Ticks love your bed, your sheets, pillows, and blankets. It is a popular area to attach and feed on their human hosts. Plus, once they attach, they can stay attached to you for days without you even knowing they are there.
Can I spray my yard for ticks?
Apply Pesticides Outdoors to Control Ticks
Use of pesticides can reduce the number of ticks in treated areas of your yard. However, you should not rely on spraying to reduce your risk of infection. When using pesticides, always follow label instructions.