How to Remove a Tick

Ticks are small arachnids that live by feeding on the blood of mammals—pets and their humans, too. Ticks can transmit diseases which makes it super important to get them out as soon as detected.  Here are the steps to remove a tick, without leaving any part of it behind.

Step 1

Use tweezers to lift the entire tick straight out of your skin. Don’t be timid!

Step 2

If any part of the tick still remains under your skin, use the tweezers to dig it out.

Step 3

Dispose of it by soaking the tick in alcohol or flushing it down the toilet.

Step 4

Immediately clean the bite and your hands with soapy water, then keep an eye on it. If your bite turns into a bulls-eye rash with a red center and white and red outer rings (a common sign of Lyme disease), get to the doctor as soon as possible!

Reminder: Make sure you have a good pair of tweezers in your first aid kit when hiking, camping, or spending time where ticks hang out!