Female hookworms pass hundreds of microscopic eggs in the feces of infected dogs, where they contaminate the environment. Larvae hatch from the eggs and can remain infective in the soil for weeks or months.
Can hookworms live in my house?
Unless animals or people have defecated in your home, it is not necessary to disinfect your home from hookworms. Hookworms aren't directly contagious because the eggs must mature into larvae before another person can contract the infection. If disinfection is necessary, use diluted bleach to clean surfaces.
How long do hookworms survive in the environment?
Under optimum conditions, infective larvae may remain viable in the soil for several months or longer, but under natural conditions in the tropics the majority rarely survive longer than five or six weeks.
How long do hookworm eggs live on surfaces?
These eggs are resistant to various environmental conditions and can survive for up to 1 to 3 years, waiting for a host where they will hatch and grow into worms.
Can hookworms live in your yard?
Hookworms (like roundworms and tapeworms) are intestinal parasites, but unlike roundworms and tapeworms they can persist and live in the yard (soil) without an intermediate host. The hookworm enjoys warm, southern, tropical climates, but has even been found in more temperate areas such as North Carolina and Virginia.
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