Mosquito Squad of The Triad: Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point Change Location Get a Free Quote

The Better Way to Remove a Tick

Posted by Mosquito Squad
The Better Way to Remove a Tick

March 29, 2021

There are several home remedy opinions on what is the best way to remove a tick that is attached to you or a pet, but there is really only one best way. The main thing is that you do it efficiently and relatively quickly from when you find it. A tick can transmit the disease it might be carrying in 24-48 hours after it attaches to its host. Sometimes you are not aware that you had a tick bite, but it sometimes will show obvious signs that it has been attached.

Tick Removal Myths

There are a few old wives tales on tick removal. The idea is that the tick will detach itself on its own accord.

  1. Touch with a hot match

  2. Cover in petroleum jelly

  3. Paint with nail polish

These options will likely have the opposite effect with the tick burrowing itself further in its host. Making it more secure and more difficult to remove. It will also likely transmit more microbes that can cause disease.

The Best Method

The best way to remove a tick is to use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers. With the tweezers, you need to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and gently pull the tick. Do not yank it. It needs to be a slow steady pull until the tick releases itself.

After Removal

Ticks are very hardy bugs. It is likely to still be alive after being detached from the skin. Flush down the toilet or place in alcohol to kill it. If you are concerned about the transfer of disease, place it in a ziploc bag and secure so the tick cannot crawl out. Take the tick to the doctor with you and the doctor will inspect and send for testing.

Be sure to clean the bitten area with alcohol. If a piece of the tick remained in the skin, do not worry. The ability of the tick to transfer an illness has been eliminated. Clean the area with alcohol and an antibacterial ointment for a few days to prevent an infection.

 

The Best Offense is a Good Defense

The best way to not have to worry about this in the future is to make sure you control the ticks in your personal outdoor living space. The defensive Mosquito Squad barrier treatment will eliminate 90% of the ticks AND mosquitoes on your property. You do not have to worry about going through this process again with family members or pets. Give us a call. We are the authority on mosquito and tick prevention in your backyard.