How to Remove Ticks

Finding a tick feasting on you, a family member, or furry friend can be shocking and scary. However, as long as the feeding tick is removed within 24 hours, the risk of disease transmission is low. To prevent tick bites, it’s best to inspect yourself and others after spending time traveling through the wilderness or heavily wooded areas by foot. The most common ticks sighted in Tennessee are dog ticks, deer ticks, and lone star ticks, which can carry diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and the protein that causes Alpha-gal allergies. There are several ways to remove a tick, but not all of the methods you find on the internet are safe for the individual you’re removing it from. 

Safe Tick Removal Methods

If you find that you, a pet, or someone you know is now host to a tick, there are a few safe ways to remove it. The most important part of tick removal is to clean the feeding site thoroughly and save the tick should any symptoms develop and you need to get the tick tested for diseases. 

Remove with Tweezers

Physically removing the tick is the recommended method per the CDC, but it can be a bit of a challenge. Use too much pressure and you risk leaving the tick’s head embedded in its host. If you don’t apply enough pressure, the tick may get irritated and bury its head deeper into the host. Using a pair of fine tip tweezers, grasp the tick close to the head with the tweezers close against the skin. Grasp firmly, and with even pressure, pull the tick up, directly away from the skin. Make sure not to twist or jerk as you pull. With continued, steady pressure the tick will release and you can put it on a notecard with a piece of tape. If you happen to leave the head in the skin, you can try to get it out with tweezers, but if you’re unable to, leave the head in the skin and clean the bite site.

Suffocate the Tick with Vaseline 

Smothering the tick and feeding site with Vaseline is another safe way to remove a tick. Eventually when the tick can’t breathe, it will detach from the host and you can save the tick on a notecard with a piece of tape. While there isn’t anything wrong with this method, it’s not recommended because it can take a while for the tick to detach itself. When dealing with a tick you want to remove it as quickly as possible to lower the risk of disease transmission. 

Prevent Tick-Borne Diseases with U.S. Pest

Aside from dogs and children, mice and rats are rodents that can bring ticks into your home. You are also more likely to see ticks around your property if you live near a wooded area or tend to keep your grass long. If keeping your lawn well-manicured isn’t keeping the ticks away, it might be time to schedule a free inspection with one of our knowledgeable pest technicians. Ready to prevent these blood suckers from feeding on you and your family? Buy your tick treatment service today!