How to Remove a Tick Correctly

Proudly Serving South Carolina | North Carolina | Georgia | Florida

Finding a tick buried in your skin can be alarming for most people. Removing a tick can be intimidating, especially when many people have their own trick or way to completely remove a tick. The most important thing to remember after finding a tick is to remain calm. Then there are just a few simple steps you can follow that will make removing a tick quick and easy.

What To Do When You Are Bitten By a Tick

When a female tick bites, she burrows herself into the skin whereas a male will bite and release. As the female feeds, she can grow up to five times her regular size making her easy to spot. If you find a tick, either in a person or a pet, here are a few easy steps to remove a tick correctly:

1. Clean the area around the tick with alcohol.
2. Find a pair of pointed-tip tweezers.
3. Grab the tick with the tweezer as close to the skin as possible.
4. Slowly but firmly pull the tick away from the skin. Do not twist or pull quickly.
5. If any parts of the tick remain in the skin, try to remove it with tweezers. If you cannot completely remove the tick, leave it there.
6. Clean the area with alcohol or soap and water.
7. Dispose of the tick by wrapping it in tape and throwing it away, flushing it down the toilet, or putting it in a closed container.

Disease Carried By Ticks

The most common disease carried by ticks is Lyme disease. It is estimated that 30,000 or more people are infected with Lyme disease each year in the United States from ticks. Lyme disease is transmitted by black-legged tick bites and can cause many negative health side effects. If Lyme disease is caught early it can be treated with antibiotics but if not caught quickly, can lead to lifelong health issues.

Ticks can also transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, tickborne relapsing fever, and a variety of other diseases. If you have been bitten by a tick and begin having a rash or flu-like symptoms, you should seek medical attention quickly. With most tick-borne illnesses, early intervention is the key to effectively treating the disease.

How to Avoid Getting Bit

There are a few things you can do to avoid getting bitten by a tick. If possible avoid areas with brush and tall grass, wear protective clothing, use a tick-repellant spray and check your clothes for ticks. Most people usually associate ticks with the woods or outdoors but they can also be found in your backyard. Due to the diseases they can transmit, it is important to keep ticks out of your yard, especially if you have pets and young children. If you believe you have ticks around your home, give the pros at Rocket Pest a call. Our technicians will be able to eliminate ticks from your yard and create a plan to keep them away. Call us today for a free quote and to learn about our tick extermination services.