I prefer to think of myself as being kind and empathetic to all creatures. Even spiders and snakes, which are quite frequent phobias among people, do not scare me enough to make me actively avoid them.
I have a strong tolerance for creepy crawlies. Just not with ticks.
No, as embarrassing as it is to confess, I would not miss a single sleep if ticks vanished from the planet tomorrow, never to be seen again. The problem is that they are not only unpleasant (not to mention invasive and, frankly, enough to make most people’s skin crawl), but they can also be deadly.
Ticks can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, making them unsuitable as house guests.
However, depending on where you live, the time of year, and whether or not you have pets at home, your chances of meeting ticks are quite high.
So, what should you do if you stumble across one of these small blights?
Identify and isolate the problem
It is a good idea to try to identify the type of tick (black-legged, dog, or brown dog tick). If the tick is found in a specific location, keep your children and pets away until it is removed.
Protective steps
Wear gloves and long-sleeved garments to protect your skin from tick bites.
Clean thoroughly
Make sure to properly clean any clothing or bedding that the tick has come into contact with. Do this on high heat. Vacuum the area thoroughly, focusing on crevices and corners.
Tick removal
Using fine-tipped tweezers, grab the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Slowly pull upwards while avoiding twisting or jerking to prevent the tick’s head from breaking off and remaining in your skin.
Following removal, disinfect any bites with alcohol or soapy water. You can dispose of the tick with alcohol or by flushing it down the toilet.
Monitor your bite
Monitor any bite sites you discover, as well as the individual who has been bitten, for symptoms.
