Ticks are one of the ugliest pests we encounter. Ticks feed on blood, carry diseases and can go for long periods of time unnoticed. Ticks can attach to humans or pets. When you find a tick, follow some basic steps to remove it.
Use Sharp Tweezers
Don't remove the tick with your bare hands. Use tweezers and wear latex gloves. With the tweezers, grab the tick at its closest part to your body. This is usually its head, which the tick uses to dig in and feed.
Don't Squeeze or Twist
After you have a firm grip on the tick, grab it and gently pull it straight up. Do not squeeze the tick; this can push out fluids back into your bloodstream. Don't twist the tick or pull it too violently or you could leave its head lodged in your skin.
Once you take the tick off, make sure its body parts are intact. Check for its mouth, and inspect your skin to see if any parts were left behind. Use an antiseptic to wash the area where the tick was lodged.
Properly Dispose
Properly dispose of the tick. Place it into an airtight container and keep it there for a couple of weeks in case you need to identify an illness if you become sick after the contact with the tick. Otherwise, stay out of the tick before you throw it away.
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