Ticks may seem like a mere annoyance ̶ irritating pests who afflict pets, once in a while, but otherwise of little consequence. Not true, by any means!
Ticks are actually disease carriers that may go unnoticed. And that’s where the danger lies. They have been linked to such infections such as typhus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, Q fever and tick-borne meningoencephalitis, an infection or inflammation of the brain which can be fatal if not properly identified and treated. Getting rid of ticks is extremely important in preventing a large number of diseases.
How to Get Rid of Ticks, Step by Step (Indoors)
Ticks generally make their way into your home by hitching a ride on a pet. They wait for host animals (or people) on grasses and shrubs, and when an unsuspecting victim brushes against them quickly, they let go of the vegetation and climb onto the host. Ticks, by the way, cannot fly or jump. They can only crawl.
If you (or your pet/home/office) has been smitten by ticks, there are a number of steps you can take to eliminate these unwanted pests.
Here's how to get rid of ticks in five easy steps:
Treat animals with a spray or medicine designed specifically for getting rid of ticks on animals. Treat your pet with a product designed especially for animals. Keep in mind that pets, especially dogs, are the main source of tick infestations. Not only can dogs bring ticks in from outdoors, they can also pick them up easily from other animals. Ticks may not be able to hop, but they can certainly get around! Removing a tick from a pet is not only important for their health, but is also essential to protecting your health and that of your family. Removing ticks from an animal is fairly simple, but if you have any doubts it’s best to consult a vet beforehand. After you’ve gotten rid of the ticks treat you dog with a topical tick-killing product that contains ingredients such as fipronil, amitraz or permethrin. Again, ask your veterinarian for advice. The vet may well suggest that you purchase a tick-repelling collar for your pet. These prevent ticks from fastening onto your cat or dog, usually for three months or so.
Remove any clutter from your home, including stacks of paper and laundry piles. While ticks are generally found outdoors, latching onto the family pet gets them into the warm, dry conditions they prefer. And, because these pests can, and do, hide almost anywhere, the first thing you should do as part of your tick treatment is de-clutter your house. Remove unwanted newspaper and magazines, collect any items that are lying on the floor or in corners. And don't leave dirty laundry sitting hampers or on chairs or beds.
Clean thoroughly, including sofas, blinds and carpets. Once you’ve de-cluttered, you should clean in thoroughly, leaving no part untouched. That means you have to dust shelves, moldings and baseboards; vacuum the floors, in corners, under tables, then mop systematically. Remember to do the same to sofas, blinds and carpets. And one last tip: Make sure you empty the vacuum bag when you’re done and deposit it the outside trash. Do not leave it in the house.
Treat all inanimate objects with Sterifab. Once you’re sure that you’ve cleaned and decluttered your house completely, the next step in the process is use a pesticide like Sterifab. This is the only way to ensure that you have eliminated any remaining ticks and their eggs. Note: Sterifab cannot be used on wood or furniture with wax or shellac finishes. Cover these surfaces before applying Sterifab.
Wash all sheets and bedding in HOT water. If you think any of your clothes or bed linens might have ticks, best not to put them in them in the laundry hamper to begin with; doing so may adulterate the other clothes. Put them straight into the washing machine. In fact, you should wash all your dirty clothes and linens in hot water. The hotter the better!
Plus, you should:
Remove and destroy all animal bedding.
Spray any indoor infected areas thoroughly with Sterifab spray repeatedly, including all animal quarters and surrounding areas. (Make sure the animals are not present when you spray.)
Never spray animals with Sterifab. Instead, they should be treated with appropriate tick (and flea) spray designed specifically for use with animals. And do not let animals reenter the treated area until they have been ‘de-ticked’.
How to Get Rid of Ticks, Step by Step (Outdoors)
Don't know what gets rid of ticks outdoors? The truth is, there are any number of ways to create tick-free zones around buildings and get rid of ticks for good: cut back wooded areas; keep grass mowed to 3 inches or less; remove leaf litter, brush, weeds and other debris that attract ticks.
Even if you follow all these precautions, you may still need to employ a powerful agent like Sterifab. It’s what get rid of ticks, and it’s ideal for use in schools, day care centers, hospitals, offices, veterinary offices and animal kennels, hotels and motels, retirement homes and college dormitories, to name but a few. And it’s effective not only in getting rid of ticks, but also in killing bed bugs, fleas, mites, fungus and more.
To use an old adage: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In practical terms that means tick treatment should include the following preventative measures:
Don’t let your kids ̶ or anyone else’s for that matter ̶ play in tick prone areas. Kids, like pets, spend a lot of time outdoors, which is why they are perfect tick targets. So, ensure that they play in areas that are well away from high grasses or trees. And, if their slide or play frame has grass around the legs or supporting struts, cut it back immediately.
Consider fencing in your yard ̶ if you have one! These days you not only have to find a way to keep that ubiquitous suburban/rural animal, the deer, from trespassing on your property, you also have to contend with coyotes. You may not see the latter, but chances are they are present. Ticks, of course, travel on mammals of all sizes and types ̶ including raccoons and possum ̶ so having that fence in place is a wise move.
Clean your bird feeders. Ticks love to nest under bird feeders, so clean them regularly and make those ticks look for another ‘home’
Sterifab: Important Points
When it comes to getting rid of ticks, Sterifab will meet all your needs because it’s:
Very Effective - Sterifab can be easily and successfully used in a wide range of locations and circumstances.
Easy to Use - Sterifab can successfully tackle everything from bacteria and viruses to fungi and mildew, wherever and whenever needed.
And remember, SteriFab is more than just an anti-tick agent. You can also use it to: