It’s generally not recommended to flush ticks down a septic tank, but not because it harms the tank. While flushing may temporarily remove the tick, it doesn’t kill it, and ticks can survive in water. A more effective way to dispose of ticks is to place them in rubbing alcohol, which kills them.

Alternatively, you can wrap them in tape or place them in a sealed container.

Here’s why flushing ticks isn’t a good disposal method and what to do instead:

Ticks don’t drown:

They can survive submerged in water for several days.

Flushing doesn’t kill them:

While flushing will remove the tick from your immediate area, it won’t kill it.

Ticks can escape:

If the septic tank doesn’t filter effectively, ticks could potentially escape and return to your property.

Effective disposal:

Place ticks in rubbing alcohol (which kills them), wrap them in tape, or place them in a sealed container.