Ticks, often encountered in outdoor environments, are not aquatic creatures, yet their capacity to endure submersion in water can be surprisingly extended. While they do not actively swim, these small arachnids possess unique physiological adaptations that allow them to survive underwater for significant periods.
Tick Respiration and Water
Ticks possess a specialized respiratory system that grants them considerable resilience to water. Unlike mammals that breathe through lungs, ticks respire through a network of tubes called tracheae, which open to the outside via small pores known as spiracles. These spiracles, located on their bodies, can be tightly closed, allowing ticks to effectively “hold their breath” for prolonged durations.
Some tick species utilize a mechanism called plastron respiration. This involves a thin layer of air trapped by hydrophobic (water-repelling) hairs and cuticular projections on their body surface. This trapped air forms a physical gill, allowing the tick to absorb oxygen and survive submerged without relying on dissolved oxygen from the water.
Survival Durations and Influencing Factors
The duration a tick can survive underwater varies considerably, typically ranging from 48 to 72 hours for many common species. Certain species exhibit extraordinary endurance. For instance, the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum) can survive for up to 70 days in freshwater, 64 days in brackish water, and 46 days in saltwater. The Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum) shows similar resilience, surviving up to 24 days in freshwater, while unfed adult American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) can endure submersion for up to 15 days. Unfed nymphs of the Lone Star tick have even been observed surviving for as long as 19 weeks (133 days) in water at 20°C.
Several factors influence a tick’s underwater survival time. Water temperature influences survival time; colder temperatures slow a tick’s metabolic rate, extending survival. Conversely, hot water at temperatures at or above 130°F (54°C) is lethal to ticks. The specific life stage of the tick also affects its tolerance, with unfed nymphs often demonstrating greater resilience to submersion than other stages. Even tick eggs can remain viable when submerged for at least two weeks.
Implications for Tick Encounters
Given ticks’ remarkable ability to survive underwater, common disposal methods like flushing them down a toilet are ineffective. Ticks are resilient enough to endure plumbing and potentially re-emerge, making flushing an unreliable disposal method. Instead, it is advisable to dispose of removed ticks by placing them in rubbing alcohol, sealing them in a plastic bag or container, or wrapping them tightly in tape before discarding them.
When it comes to personal hygiene and laundry, submersion in water alone may not kill ticks. Ticks can float and survive in swimming pools and even oceans. Taking a bath or shower may dislodge unattached ticks, but it is unlikely to kill those that have already latched onto the skin. For clothing, washing in hot water (at least 130°F or 54°C) can be effective. Drying clothes on high heat is more effective, as dry conditions rapidly dehydrate and kill ticks, often within 6 to 10 minutes.