Will ticks die in a washing machine? Pest pros reveal the important caveat to this quick tick remedy

Ticks are nasty biters, and can cling onto fabrics for days if left undisturbed. This begs the question: Will ticks die in a washing machine?

While a washer can be a good filter for pests such as ticks, there are some important settings and cycles you need to use for thorough results.

Here, pest experts explain how to use a washing machine as a natural pest control method correctly and offer alternative solutions to tackle ticks.

Will ticks die in a washing machine?

The short answer is, technically, yes – ticks can die in a washing machine, but only when you use the right washing machine settings, and follow up with heat in your dryer.

Jim McHale, entomologist, CEO, and president at JP McHale Pest Management, explains, ‘Yes, ticks can be effectively eliminated in washing machines when hot water and high heat drying are used. To ensure ticks are killed, wash clothing in water at least 130°F. Immediately following the wash cycle, dry items on high heat for at least one hour.

‘While it is not necessary to clean the washing machine after laundering tick-exposed clothing, vacuuming the washer and dryer thoroughly can help remove any residual ticks or debris.’

Using a quality laundry detergent, such as Tide Free & Gentle, available at Walmart, can help to refresh your clothing and smother ticks on fabrics.

Trenton Frazer, lead entomologist at Aptive Environmental, adds, ‘It is the dryer, more than the washer, that really kills ticks due to the sustained heat. Ticks can pose real health risks that can compromise your family’s comfort and well-being. While washing clothes properly helps after outdoor activity, prevention starts with proactive care around the home.’

Alternative ways to remove ticks from fabrics

For those items you should never wash in hot water, Nicole Carpenter, president at Black Pest Prevention, says, ‘it's better to wash in cold water and use a dryer on high heat for at least 15 minutes to kill ticks.

‘For example, washing at 140°F is too hot for fabrics like wool, silk, and some synthetics with elastane. You can also use a hot steamer [such as the top-rated Conair Handheld Garment Steamer, from Walmart] to kill ticks on delicate fabrics.

‘Compared to a regular iron, a hot steamer targets all hiding spots, including collars, seams, and cuffs, and you can safely hold it in place longer to make sure the tick is killed without scorching delicate fabrics.’

There are some smart ways to steam clothes without a traditional steamer, too, if you are caught in a pinch.

Nicole adds that if you washed tick-infested items on a cold cycle, you should follow up by cleaning a washing machine thoroughly, ‘running an empty hot cycle with detergent’ to kill off any lingering pests that were shaken loose.

Alternatively, make a DIY washing machine cleaner by adding one cup of white vinegar, from Walmart, in the detergent drawer, and one cup of baking soda, also from Walmart, in the drum before running a long, hot cycle.

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FAQs

How long can ticks live on clothes?

Ticks can survive on clothing for a few days, especially if the clothing is slightly damp or if the tick has recently fed on a host.

If you have been out anywhere where ticks may have latched onto your clothing, wash them immediately and dry them on a high dryer temperature before storing them in hampers or back in your closet.

If you cannot wash the clothes immediately, secure them in a trash bag, tied tightly to avoid any rogue ticks from getting out.

What kills ticks immediately?

Many common insecticides can kill ticks instantly. Chemical options that contain pyrethrins are the most effective, killing ticks on contact, but natural options such as Wondercide, a product on Amazon that contains cedar oil, are a good alternative that helps to suffocate ticks.

Meet the experts

Jim McHale

Jim has grown up in the pest control world, with his father having founded McHale Pest Management in 1971. Jim took over the family business in 1988 after his father's retirement and continues helping clients to this day.

Trenton Frazer

Trenton has worked in pest control companies for over ten years, having started as a director of entomology with Aptive in 2015.

Nicole Carpenter

Nicole Carpenter started working at Black Pest Prevention when she was in high school. She continued working there while attending N.C. State University and eventually became the CEO. Black Pest Prevention is a company that helps with pest control in Charlotte and serves both North and South Carolina.

As with any pest, prevention is always better than a solution. Consider making a DIY tick-repellent that you can spray on your clothing before you go on walks to prevent the biters from latching onto your garments, for instance. You can also use solutions such as the best tick-repellent plants to repel ticks in your yard and keep you, your pets, and your property pest-free.