Don't Panic. How To Remove a Tick

Once you spot the tick, it is critical that you remove it at once. The sooner the better to prevent Lyme! Remember, you will have less than 48 hours to remove the tick before the possible transmission of Lyme Disease. 

Tick Removal Tips   Here are things to remember before removing ticks: 1. Don't remove the tick by-hand. 2. Don't burn the tick off your skin. 3. Don't use nail polish remover. 4. Always disinfect the area before/after removal. 5. Be on the lookout for a 'Bulls-Eye' marking days or weeks later.

1) Purchase a Tick Removal Tool

Household tweezers may not be strong enough to successfully remove the tick. We suggest purchasing any of the tick remover tools and tweezers from Deerbusters.com for easy handling.

2) Disinfect the tick-biting area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.

3) Pull the tick straight up. Be sure that the head and body both comes out completely. (Remember: Tick-borne disease transmission is not possible without the tick's head as this is what is burrowed inside the skin.) Do not rush the process so the tick's body does not break apart. If it does break for any reason, remove the broken parts from the infected area - do not leave the remaining body parts attached to your skin. 

4) Disinfect the tick-biting area with rubbing alcohol one final time.

5) Place the tick in a sealed container. Store in refrigerator if it is alive, and the freezer if it is dead.

6) Take the tick to a doctor's office quickly for testing to identify the type of tick; and consider testing for Lyme Disease and other diseases.