Bites from ticks, esp. deer ticks (Ixodes species) causes Lyme’s disease, a zoonotic disease. Lyme’s disease is caused by an infection with Borrelia burgdorferi esp. if the tick remains attached for more than 48-72 hours. Tick removal is relatively easy.
How to remove a tick?
- Using tweezers, grasp the tick near the mouth parts, as close to the skin as possible.
- Pull the tick in a steady, upward motion away from skin.
- Do not use kerosone, matches or petroleum jelly to remove tick.
- Disinfect site with soap and water or hydrogen peroxide.
- Record date and location of tick bite.
- Dispose a live tick by submersing it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag, wrapping it tightly in tape or flushing it down the toilet. Never crush a tick with your fingers.
What to do with the tick you removed?
You can take it to the Department of Health and have it tested for the diseases it is carrying.
Or
You can get rid of the tick by:
- First drowning it in soapy water or rubbing alcohol and
- Flushing it down the toilet or throwing it in the trash after wrapping it up securely with tape.
