Ticks are common outdoor pests, and their resilience often raises questions about their survival in water. Many people wonder if ticks can truly “breathe” or live when submerged, which is a misconception. Understanding how these creatures interact with water requires a look into their unique respiratory system and survival strategies.
How Ticks Breathe
Ticks, as arachnids, do not possess lungs or gills. Instead, they rely on a respiratory system composed of external openings called spiracles and an internal network of tubes known as tracheae. Air enters the tick’s body through these spiracles, which are typically located on the sides of their bodies, often near their hind legs. This tracheal system then delivers atmospheric oxygen directly to their tissues.
Unlike aquatic animals that can extract oxygen from water, ticks are entirely dependent on air for respiration. Their breathing rate is quite low, with some species breathing only a few times per hour, which contributes to their ability to survive with limited oxygen. This design means that prolonged deprivation of air, such as being fully submerged in water, presents a significant challenge to their survival.
Tick Survival in Aquatic Environments
While ticks cannot actively breathe underwater, they possess adaptations that allow them to survive submerged for considerable periods. Ticks can seal their spiracles to prevent water from entering their respiratory system.
Their bodies are covered in a waxy coating and hydrophobic (water-repelling) hairs, which can trap a thin layer of air around them, forming what is known as a plastron. This plastron can facilitate some oxygen absorption from the surrounding water. The low metabolic rate of ticks aids their underwater survival, as they require less oxygen to sustain their bodily functions.
The duration a tick can survive submerged varies significantly depending on the species, water temperature, and life stage. Some species, like the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum), demonstrate exceptional water resistance, capable of surviving up to 70 days in freshwater, 64 days in brackish water, and 46 days in saltwater. Other species, such as the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), can survive up to 15 days, while the Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum) may last up to 24 days in freshwater. Many ticks can survive submerged for hours to several days.
Water-Based Tick Control and Prevention
Understanding ticks’ water survival capabilities is important for effective control and prevention. Brief submersion, such as swimming or bathing, is generally not sufficient to kill ticks attached to a host.
When it comes to managing ticks on clothing, water temperature plays a significant role, but dry heat is often more effective. Washing clothes in hot water, at or above 130°F (54°C), can kill all nymphal and adult ticks. However, ticks can survive cold or warm water washes.
The most reliable method for eliminating ticks from clothing is using a dryer on a high-heat setting. Ticks desiccate and die in dry conditions. Placing clothes directly into a dryer on high heat for 6 to 10 minutes effectively kills ticks, even before washing.
For removed ticks, submerging them in rubbing alcohol or mouthwash for several hours is more effective than just water.