Tick Removal 101

Ticks. These tiny arachnid, disease spreading parasites are only out for one thing....

A free meal

​And you're looking awfully tasty right about now. 

Avoiding ticks at all cost is important. There are ways you can look out for you and your loved ones in order to keep yourself

protected from tick-born diseases. Check out this great information about how to look out for ticks and how to protect yourself here. ​

What now?

If you do happen to get a tick on you. It's important not to panic. It's important to stay calm, and get the little bugger off! Before you go reaching for those tweezers, make sure you're aware as to how to best remove and attached tick to better decrease your chance of contracting a disease or get an infection from the attachment site. 

How to Remove a Tick

Step 1.   Gather all your necessary supplies: 

• Tweezers
• Rubbing alcohol or warm, soapy water
• Cotton balls or a clean cotton cloth 
• a small container or tape for disposal

Step 2.      Get a Clear View of the Tick
Be sure that you can comfortably see what you are doing and that you have a good view of the tick you are trying to remove. If the tick is in a hard to reach area, be sure to enlist the help of a friend in order to avoid improperly removing the tick. 

Step 3.      Get a Hold of the Tick
Take your tweezers--a set of fine-tipped tweezers are highly recommended--and gently grab hold of the tick as close to the skin as possible. 

Step 4.      Remove the tick
Lift the tick to a 90 degree angle away from the skin. Use a gentle and even pressure to pull the tick out from it's hold. It is IMPORTANT that you DO NOT twist or yank the tick from your body. Doing so could result in leaving the tick's mouth attached to your body. The tick wants to stay, and its saliva can act as cement of sorts. The tick attaches itself really well, and it makes removal all the more difficult. Patience and a steady hand are key. 

Step 5.  Clean Up
You will want to be sure to clean the area thoroughly. Use the alcohol or warm, soapy water to cleanse the area.  

Step 6. Disposal
You will need to kill the tick by placing it in rubbing alcohol. Then you can flush it down the toilet or wrap it tightly in tape and throw out. 
You can also choose to have the tick analyzed to see if it carries any diseases. For this you will need to keep the tick alive, and store it in a container for testing.