Everyone seems to have nice advice on getting rid of a tick, including their Great Aunt Edith. Knowing how to distinguish between myths and reality is crucial since performing tick removal incorrectly can be deadly. For instance, despite what Aunt Edith says, burning a tick with a match and covering it with nail polish are not safe methods of getting rid of ticks. These kinds of practices raise the chance of getting Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease. So let's look at the proper tick removal technique.

Tick removal must be done differently from other bug removal procedures. Most insects can be easily removed by brushing them off, but ticks cling to the body, bite the skin, insert a barbed feeding tube, and start sucking blood. In contrast to the majority of biting insects, ticks tunnel into the skin and hang onto the body even after they have bitten. Ticks can transmit diseases to their human hosts when connected because they often contain infections.

Certain unsafe removal methods can cause the tick to salivate and regurgitate into the bite site, which may increase the risk of disease transmission. This is just one reason why it’s essential to learn how to remove a tick safely.

As noted, removing a tick improperly can be even more damaging than leaving the tick to disengage on its own. In addition, it can increase your chance of contracting a tick-borne disease and infection. The following methods are NOT the proper way to remove a tick:

While you may be eager to remove a tick from your body or your child’s body as quickly as possible, it’s important to have the right supplies on hand first. Here’s what you’ll need:

Once you have these items ready to go, take the following steps to remove a tick safely to minimize the risk of infection:

When you use this proper way to remove a tick, you can limit the damage caused by the bite. But remain alert to possible symptoms so you know if and when you should seek medical attention. 

Control Ticks and Other Pests with 24/7 Local Pest Control

You can never be too cautious about tick bites and preventing tick-borne illnesses. Now that you know how to remove a tick safely, you can take steps to enjoy outdoor fun free from these biters. Reach out to your local 24/7 Local Pest Control for barrier treatments designed to eliminate ticks,  fleas, and mosquitoes. Call us at (833) 220-1001 or contact us online to schedule professional tick control services. We’re making the outdoors fun again!

 Ticks gross many people out. Check out these recommendations for cleaning gross things more painlessly from our friends at Molly Maid. Molly Maid is another member of the Neighborly® family of home service brands.

How do ticks transmit disease?

Because ticks drink the blood of their hosts, either human or animal, they can pick up any disease their host is infected with. The tick then transmits the disease through its saliva. When the tick bites, a small amount of saliva enters the new host’s skin. 

However, improper tick removal methods can stimulate the tick to salivate more heavily into the wound, increasing the transmission of pathogens. This is one reason it is essential to learn how to remove a tick safely. 

Do tick bites itch or hurt?

Typically, tick bites do not itch or even hurt. You are unlikely to even feel a tick bite, making regular checks for ticks essential. If you find a tick on you, a family member, or a pet, be sure you know how to remove a tick safely so you can limit the potential transmission of disease and infection.

How to check for ticks?

It’s critical to check for ticks thoroughly after returning indoors. Spotting ticks early can help reduce the risk of disease. Once a tick attaches to the skin of its host, the potential for transmission of a tick-borne disease increases significantly after 24 hours. Therefore a visual examination of your body and lightly skimming with your hands across your skin, especially in places you cannot see, is critical to early tick detection. 

A shower will wash off any crawling ticks. This is also a good time to search for ticks with your hands. Pay particular attention to underarms, behind ears and knees, under hair and on the scalp, inside the belly button, around the waist, and groin area. If you find an embedded tick on you or your pet, use the proper way to remove a tick, and discard it safely.

What are tick bite symptoms?

Several different tick-borne diseases have similar symptoms, like fever, chills, aches, pains, and a rash. If you get bitten by a tick, be sure to remove the tick safely and, if possible, save the specimen for examination should you, a loved one, or a pet develop any symptoms. If you do develop symptoms within a few weeks, seek medical attention and submit the tick you removed for testing.

For reference, a Lyme disease rash has a characteristic bull’s eye appearance. The bite location will be red and slightly swollen, with the area around it clear and surrounded by a ring of reddened skin.

You can never be too cautious about tick bites and preventing tick-borne illnesses. While it’s great to know how to remove a tick safely, it’s so much better to prevent tick bites! So, add an extra layer of protection to your outdoor fun with 24/7 Local Pest Control tick barrier treatments. We can help to protect your family and property from ticks and a variety of biters, including mosquitoes,  fleas, and gnats.

You know your tick control service will be done right and on time because 24/7 Local Pest Control is a Neighborly company. Our services are backed by the  Neighborly Done Right Promise and the 24/7 Local Pest Control Satisfaction Guarantee!

Secure your patio and property for bite-free fun! Just reach out to your local 24/7 Local Pest Control for barrier treatments to eliminate and prevent ticks.

Call us at (833) 220-1001 or contact us online to schedule professional tick control services.

Ticks gross a lot of people out. Check out these recommendations for cleaning gross things more painlessly from our friends at Molly Maid. Molly Maid is another member of the Neighborly® family of home service brands.