There’s nothing worse than coming home after an amazing hike through the woods only to realize that you have become the target of a blood-sucking tick. Not only do these pesky arachnids cause discomfort, they can also carry dangerous diseases.
It’s important to know how to deal with ticks once you notice one attached to you, a loved one, or a pet. Removing them quickly and safety is key, as is taking appropriate measures to protect against future tick exposure and bites.
What Are Effective Tick Removal Methods?
Quick note: Once the tick is gone, make sure you thoroughly clean the bite area. Examine it for anything left behind. Look for swelling or abnormalities in the skin. Use alcohol wipes to disinfect the area. If you notice anything unnatural about the bitten area, call a doctor.
For the next couple of days you will want to keep an eye on the bite to make sure no rash, swelling, or other abnormality develops. If it does, having the tick on hand for identification purposes can be very helpful in stopping infections and disease.
✔ Use Fine-Tipped Tweezers
Fine-tipped tweezers are a great tool for getting ticks off. They are small creatures with a strong grip, so a tweezers firm grasp is just the ticket – and should be part of every hiker’s arsenal of tick removal tools.
Here’s how to use them to get that pest off for good:
Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Make sure you get as close to the embedded head of the tick as possible without pinching the skin.- Gently and steadily pull the tick upward. Make absolutely sure that you get the entire tick, including all parts of its head and mouth. Twisting and jerking the tick can cause the head or mouth parts to break off and remain in the skin. Take your time as you pull. The tick’s bite is firm.
- Place the tick in a sealed bag or container, or rubbing alcohol. This ensures it’s safely put away in the event that you want to have a doctor check it for disease. Do not throw it away. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also recommends flushing them down the toilet.
✔ Use Tick Removal Devices
There are several products on the market that can be effective tools for removing ticks. Tick twisters, tick scoops, angled tweezers, tick forks, and even various types of spoons have been designed for various sized ticks.
These tools are generally safe and easy to use. Before you purchase the tool, make sure to research the product to make sure it will work for you. Once you have the tool, follow the instructions and make sure you are using it properly.
✔ Seek Medical Assistance
Every once in a while there is a tick that gets a little deeper than normal. In these cases it’s safest to call a doctor for removal. The doctor has the tools and disinfectants available to keep you safe as the tick is removed. The doctor will also be able to potentially spot any infections or diseases that might be present.
How to Prevent Tick Bites
The best option when it comes to tick bites is always to simply avoid them in the first place, right? Here’s some tips that will help ensure just that.
- Dress Appropriately: The first line of defense against tick bites is your clothing. Ticks are looking for warm skin, especially if it can hide among hair. Wearing long sleeves, pants, socks, hiking shoes or boots, and, if cool enough, hats, will go a long way in keeping ticks off. It is more likely they will fall off of you before ever being able to bite you.
Use Tick Repellent: Apply a tick repellent containing at least 20% DEET on exposed skin and permethrin-treated clothing. Follow the product’s instructions carefully and reapply as needed, especially if you are spending an extended period outdoors. (A bonus to using safe tick repellent is you will also repel other skin biting pests, as well.)- Stay on Trails: Ticks like to live among thick ground cover like long grass, brush, and leaf litter. Sticking to well-maintained trails will dramatically decrease your chance of a run-in with a tick.
- Perform Tick Checks: After a good hike, make sure you do a thorough check for ticks. Make sure that you check under places where your skin folds or where there is hair cover. Ticks are drawn to these locations because they are not easily exposed and they’re often warmer parts of the body.
- Shower After Outdoor Activities: Taking a shower after outdoor activities greatly decreases your risk of tick bites and disease. Even if you don’t feel dirty, taking a shower after a hike can wash off ticks before they get too settled in.
Keep Ticks Out of Your Yard: Hire Mosquito Solutions
It doesn’t hurt to go the extra mile in tick prevention. At Mosquito Solutions, we offer a professional and safe approach to tick, mosquito, and flea prevention. Here are some of the ways we can help you keep your property free of ticks.
- Expertise and Experience: At Mosquito Solutions our team of trained and experienced professionals understand local tick population and behavior. Our knowledge is essential in developing effective tick prevention strategies tailored to the specific challenges of the Mt. Sinai area.
- Customized For Your Specific Needs: Not all properties are the same, and tick infestation risks can vary widely. At Mosquito Solutions we work with you to assess your property and develop a plan that addresses your unique needs.
- Safe & Environmentally Friendly Solutions: Mosquito Solutions prioritizes safety and environmental responsibility. We use an eco-friendly spray called Stop the Bites. Our spray controls ticks and mosquitoes while remaining safe and environmentally-friendly.
- Ongoing Maintenance: Tick prevention is not a one-and-done effort. It requires consistent monitoring and maintenance in order to make sure that you remain free of ticks. Mosquito Solutions offers services that will keep your property tick-free all throughout the tick season.
Long story short, you can rest easier knowing that our professionals at Mosquito Solutions are on the job. When you work with us, your family and your pets are better protected from the dangers of ticks and the diseases that come with them – for good.
Call Today for Effective Tick & Pest Control Services
Call Mosquito Solutions today and let us help you keep your property tick (and mosquito and flea) free. Dial 631-528-2029 to speak with our crew. You can also reach out to us online, and we’ll be in touch!
Recent Comments