Indoor Tick Survival: Weeks-Long Risk After Outdoor Exposure

Ohio State University researchers tested two tick species (Gulf Coast tick and Lone Star tick) on five home floor surfaces and found they can survive from about a week up to 25 days indoors, with survival times varying by species and flooring. The findings, published in the Journal of Vector Ecology, suggest ticks can linger after entering homes from tick-prone areas and underscore practical prevention steps (check for ticks on people and pets, wash clothes in hot water and tumble-dry, shower soon after outdoor exposure) to reduce bite risk and disease transmission.