How Long Can Roundworm Eggs Live In Carpet?

Ryan Womeldorf
by Ryan Womeldorf

There is a lot of nasty, creepy crawlies that can live on the various surfaces of our homes without us knowing. Most of them are completely harmless if not gross to know about. But there are more than a few that we want to avoid wherever possible.

Roundworm eggs can’t simply hatch on your carpet, as they require a host (such as a human body or an animal’s) to survive and hatch. However, once hatched, they can survive between two months to 3 years. This means that most likely, roundworms are coming from your dog.

What are the Impacts of Roundworms?

Remember that roundworms feed on the intestines. That alone should tell you that they are not a good thing and that you want to stay away from them at all costs. That’s not even getting into the symptoms that they cause.

Roundworms cause wheezing, nausea, vomiting, and can result in severe abdominal pain. If you think that you may have an infection, you can check your stool as they can be quite visible there. Most of them are just a few millimeters in length but they can get to be up to 2 meters which is definitely not something you want to see.

How Long Can Their Eggs Live in Carpet?

One of the primary transportation methods for roundworms into the home is through household pets. The eggs fall off and down into the carpet. It is also common to be doing yardwork and bring them in that way.

The good news is that roundworm eggs cannot hatch while they live in your carpet. The bad news is that they are naturally resistant to many different conditions that might kill other creatures. That allows them to stay in your carpet for prolonged periods of time.

Roundworms can live in your carpet for anywhere ranging from a few months to as long as 3 years. They thrive in moist settings, which is why they are so commonly found in soil. The good news regarding roundworms and your carpet is that, if an adult got onto your carpet, it could not survive for very long.

How Long Do Roundworm Eggs Live on Most Surfaces?

The bad news about roundworms is that they are versatile creatures and are able to stand up to many conditions that would kill other creatures. Their eggs are just as resistant. Even if they can’t hatch in those conditions, they will lay in waiting for years at a time.

Roundworm eggs are among the longest surviving pathogens out there. They stand up to a wide array of environmental conditions, surviving anywhere from 1 year to 3 depending on said conditions. They simply wait for a host that will unknowingly pick them up so that they can hatch into worms.

Roundworm eggs are able to cling to a wide array of surfaces, too. Not only do they come attached to pets, but they can cling to toys, bedding, kitchen counters, doorknobs, furniture, clothing, and faucets. They can do so for months at a time and can’t be seen by the naked eye, making them especially difficult to avoid.

How Long Do Roundworms Live in Soil?

As stated previously, roundworms do best in soil. Soil is also the most common transmission method to both animals and humans. The soil can become contaminated, typically with animal feces. The roundworms, as well as their eggs, then get into the soil and will thrive there for years at a time.

The parts of a lawn that are infested with roundworms tend to be damp and under some sort of shady area, whether it be a tree or other vegetation. Further research has shown that they are very sensitive to ultraviolet light. If they are exposed to direct sunlight, it can drastically impact their life cycle.

What Kills Roundworm Eggs?

If you think that you may have a roundworm problem, acting sooner rather than later is key. The longer they have a chance to fester, the greater the chance of an infection to yourself or a pet. Regular cleaning is probably the best way to prevent an infection, but that doesn’t necessarily provide a permanent solution.

Commercial disinfectants are the most commonly effective way to deal with roundworm eggs. If the disinfectant does not kill them outright, it should work to significantly impact the development of their larvae.

Past that, there are 3 ways to kill their eggs given their high resistance to natural conditions. Those 3 methods are all heat-based: fire, steam, or boiling hot water.

Fire

Fire will probably kill just about anything, so it naturally makes for an effective method of combating roundworm and their eggs. Don’t go using a propane torch on a whim; find any fire safety guides that you can beforehand. Remember that this is fire and it is not to be just messed around with.

Still, fire is a very effective method for destroying any infestations. Just make sure that you do so carefully to prevent damage to other areas of your home or yourself.

Steam

Steam has a lot more practical uses than fire does and is probably a lot safer to deal with. Not only that, but a steam cleaner is a fairly common item in households to begin with. By using a steam cleaner on your curtains, carpet, and even your furniture you can instantly kill any potential infestation that may be residing there.

Steam cleaning is great for outdoor areas, too. If you notice that your pet has worms in their feces or an infestation somewhere in the yard, steam can be an effective method for treating that infestation.

Steaming is a top choice here, but you may want to compare Steam Clean vs. Shampoo Carpet: Which One Is Better?

Boiling Hot Water

Like fire, this method can be a little difficult to control and requires the utmost care and patience The heat from the water will kill roundworm eggs on any surface, including the floors, your bathtub, kitchen surfaces, and any other areas within the home where you can safely pour water.

Sunlight

While there is no proof that the sun’s ultraviolet rays will kill the roundworm eggs, they can be detrimental to their growth. Not only that, but sunlight can kill adult roundworms with relative ease given their natural environments tend to be cool and dark.

Sunlight won’t kill roundworm eggs but will substantially shorten their lifespan. The heat bakes into the soil, which wears down the layers of the egg. If you can locate an infected portion of the yard, you can almost create an oven effect with plastic canvas, killing them off where they lay.

What Temperature Kills Roundworm Eggs?

Let’s say that you find an infestation but are not crazy about implementing fire or boiling hot water to get rid of the problem. What temperature would you need to hit the eggs with to kill them off for good?

Roundworms have four layers to their shell, which is what makes them so naturally resistant to low and high temperatures. That said, they do have their thermal death points. Any temperature above 142 degrees Fahrenheit is their death point.

Water’s boiling point is much higher, which is why it is recommended for killing roundworm eggs on smooth surfaces, especially outdoor surfaces. A steam cleaner can get up to about 245 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the perfect indoor solution. If you really want to go above and beyond, the torch can get over 3000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Roundworms and Your Dog

Considering the fact that pets are a common carrier of roundworm, it is important to look out for the signs of roundworm. However, it may be too little too late to prevent an infection from taking place. So, it is important to watch your dog for a few things.

If your dog is rummaging through the dirt or even a litter box, there is the potential for roundworms. By letting your dog back into the house without checking on them, it could track roundworm eggs all over the home and even onto your bedding.

Exercise caution by checking your dogs after they are out in the yard. You can play it safe by keeping them out of your bed until you check them, too.

Ryan Womeldorf
Ryan Womeldorf

Ryan Womeldorf has more than a decade of experience writing. He loves to blog about construction, plumbing, and other home topics. Ryan also loves hockey and a lifelong Buffalo sports fan.

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