Ticks are small dangerous parasites that live in tall grass waiting for a host animal to walk by. These insects consume the blood of mammals but in doing so, they can introduce their host to a variety of diseases. Unfortunately if you find an adult tick on yourself or on a pet, it's not as easy as flicking them off. Tick-borne diseases may be introduced when you try to improperly remove an infected tick.

Understanding Tick Species

Ticks come in many species and they are found almost everywhere. Knowing the type of tick you're dealing with can help with identification, prevention, and early diagnosis of diseases.

Deer Tick (Black-legged Tick):

  • Small, reddish-brown body with black legs.
  • Primarily eastern U.S.
  • Primarily responsible for spreading Lyme disease (early symptoms: bullseye rash, joint pain).

Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (American Dog Tick):

  • Larger than deer ticks, with a brown and white mottled appearance.
  • Primarily arid regions of the northwest U.S.
  • Known to transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever (early symptoms: sudden fever, headache, muscle pain.)

Lone Star Tick:

  • Reddish-brown with a distinctive white spot or “star” on its back.
  • Range fans out from central Texas to the entire eastern seaboard.
  • Can spread diseases such as tularemia (early symptoms: skin ulcers, swollen lymph nodes) or ehrlichiosis (fever, chills, muscle ache).

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How to Safely Remove a Tick

Medical advice says that prevention is key, but if you do find a tick on your body to remove it carefully.

  • Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible.
  • Pull upward with steady pressure until the tick is pulled out.
  • Check that you got the entire tick. If the burrowed head is left behind it can cause a skin infection.
  • After removal, clean the bite with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Monitor for skin infections.

Effective Ways to Kill Ticks

1. Freezing Ticks

One of the safest and most reliable ways to kill ticks is by freezing them. If you find them before they latch on, or it is alive when you remove it, this method prevents the tick from exposing you to pathogens when crushed.

  • Place the tick in a sealed plastic bag or container.
  • Put the bag in your freezer for at least 24-48 hours.
  • Dispose of the tick after freezing.

2. Soak in an Alcohol Bath

Submerging ticks in rubbing alcohol is a quick and effective method for killing them.

  • Drop the tick into a small container of alcohol.
  • The alcohol kills the tick almost instantly.
  • Use tweezers to carefully handle the tick when placing it in the alcohol.

3. Flush It Down the Toilet

This method is useful for disposing of ticks if you don't have access to alcohol or a freezer.

  • Drop the tick into the toilet bowl.
  • Flush the tick down the toilet to ensure it cannot return.

4. Crush with Care

If necessary, you can crush the tick, but it must be done carefully to avoid exposure to pathogens.

  • Use a paper towel to cover the tick.
  • Use a blunt object to crush the tick completely.
  • Be cautious of fluids released during this process, as they may carry disease.
Engorged tick in the dirt.
Learn how to identify engorged ticks, too. Credit: Photo by Wolfgang Hasselmann on Unsplash

Prevention is Key: How to Reduce Your Exposure

Preventing tick bites is essential to reducing the risk of tick-borne diseases. Here are some of the best practices to avoid ticks:

  • Wear protective clothing: Long sleeves and pants can minimize exposed skin. Spray your clothes with insect repellant.
  • Use tick repellents: Apply EPA-approved insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin.
  • Treat clothing and gear: Use permethrin spray on clothing, boots, and camping gear.
  • Regularly check your body for ticks: Perform daily tick checks after spending time outdoors. Be sure to check pets and children for ticks. Focus under arms, in the groin, and inside any belly buttons.
  • Keep your yard tick-free: Ticks wait on blades of grass so mow your lawn regularly, remove leaf litter, and stick to the center of hiking trails or paths.

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FAQ

Can I Kill a Tick by Burning It?

Burning a tick with a match or lighter is not recommended. It can actually cause the tick to regurgitate its contents into the bite site... This is gross and also increases the risk of bacterial infection. Instead, use one of the methods outlined above for safe removal and disposal.

Can I Kill a Tick by Smothering It?

A common myth is that a tick will release if you cover it with dish soap, nail polish, or petroleum jelly, but this is not very effective. It might kill it, but in that process it might spread a disease or increase your risk of infection.

Can Ticks Survive in Water?

Ticks can survive in water for short periods, which is why drowning them in water isn't an effective method for killing them. Always use alcohol or freezing methods to ensure the tick is fully exterminated.