Finding a tick attached to yourself, a child, pet, or other family member can trigger an unparalleled level of concern. Where did you "catch it?" How long has it been attached? Will you catch Lyme disease or another infection?

"Ticks may crawl around on a person’s skin or clothing for some time before finding a suitable place to bite. Once a tick bites, it is committed to that bite. It will either finish feeding at that site, or in some cases it will fall off, but they don’t generally start feeding at one site and then move to another," shares Dr. Stephen Rich. Dr. Rich is a Microbiology Professor at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Executive Director of the New England Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (NEWVEC) and a medical advisor to Bug Bite Thing.

He adds, "Knowing how long a tick has been crawling around is not as important as knowing how long that tick has been feeding (if she started that process). Tick feeding takes several days depending on the life stage. The best science suggests that the risk of germs moving from the tick into the bite victim increases with time of feeding. This is why it's best to remove ticks as early as possible. If you’ve missed a tick that has fed for some time, it can be useful to understand precisely how long that tick has fed and whether it is infected. Not all ticks are equally risky."

The Best Tool for Tick Removal

When it comes to preventing the spread of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, both prompt and proper tick removal are extremely important. "Tick removal need not be complicated but is best accomplished by using a pair of fine-tipped forceps that allow you to grip the biting tick close to the site of attachment," advises Dr. Rich. "Fine-tipped forceps such as the Bug Bite Thing Tick Remover (also available on Amazon) are good to have on hand during tick season and can be used on both people and pets. I keep a pair in my medicine cabinet, but also have a pair in my car to carry with me when I hike or walk my pets."

The company also mailed me a tick remover to test, and I held off this review until I had an excuse to use it; it's well-made, and its fine-tipped tweezer was easier to use than traditional pointy tweezers that I've attempted with in the past.

As demonstrated in their many videos, a secure grip and pulling with steady pressure are most effective when it comes to removing a tick from your skin. For proper removal of an engorged tick, you can use the slotted scoop end of the tick remover for a secure grasp that doesn't require you to pick at or around the enlarged body of the tick.

After you've removed a tick, don't forget to wash your hands with soap and water, clean the area of the bite, and thoroughly clean the tool. Monitor the site of the tick bite for a skin infection, and pay attention to other symptoms as well including fever and muscle aches caused by an onset bacterial infection. Seek medical attention from a health professional if you suspect any issue caused by an active infection.

How do I know if a tick bite will get me sick?

When you've exercised all precautions and still find a tick, it's important to get it out right away, but don't jump to conclusions in believing that you're guaranteed to catch a tick-borne infection. Dr. Rich explains that there are three key determinants that influence the risk level of any tick bite.

• The species. Different ticks carry different germs.
• How long the tick has fed by the host. Germ transmission takes time, which is why the duration of tick attachment matters.
• Whether that tick has germs inside it. While ticks can carry a variety of germs, many ticks DO NOT have germs.

"Reputable tick testing services such as TickReport.com can determine all three of these risk factors," notes Dr. Rich. "The tick is essentially a piece of evidence that helps determine whether a ‘crime’ (ie. disease transmission) has occurred. The method of detecting germs is a DNA-based approach exactly akin to that used in crime scene investigations."

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How to Prevent Ticks in Your Backyard

Keeping your backyard 100% free from ticks is tricky, but you can take steps to mitigate your risks:

1. Apply a Perimeter Spray: Use a perimeter spray to kill ticks. It's best applied by a licensed professional who uses synthetic products like bifenthrin, which effectively eliminates ticks in leaf litter. Natural products are often less effective. Note that this method protects only your yard, not other outdoor areas.
2. Treat Clothing with Permethrin: Protect yourself by treating clothing with permethrin. We like Ranger Ready’s Permethrin and have used it for years! This pesticide embeds into fabrics, killing ticks on contact. It's effective for humans, pets, and children.
3. Use Tick Repellents: Apply repellents like DEET or Picaridin to your skin. While repellents applied to the skin surface aren't strong enough to kill ticks, they deter them from biting, adding a layer of protection.
4. Wear Protective Clothing: Avoid chemical products by wearing light-colored clothing, which makes ticks easier to spot. Tuck socks into pants and shirts into pants to prevent ticks from reaching your skin.
5. Daily Tick Checks: Perform full-body checks daily during tick season. Early detection and removal of ticks greatly reduce the risk of illness.