I see myself as someone who loves and understands all living things. Even spiders and snakes, which many people are scared of, don’t bother me so much that I go out of my way to avoid them.
I can handle most creepy crawlies, except for ticks.
I must confess, I wouldn’t be upset if ticks disappeared forever. They’re not just bothersome (and kind of creepy), but they can also be harmful.
Ticks can bring harmful diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. So, it’s safe to say they’re not the best guests for your home.
However, depending on where you live, the time of year, and if you have pets, you might often encounter ticks.
So, what should you do if you find one of these little pests?
Figure out what’s wrong and keep it separate.
It’s a good idea to figure out the kind of tick it is (like black-legged, dog, or brown dog tick). If it’s in a certain spot, keep your kids or pets away until you handle the tick.
Stay safe
To avoid ticks, wear gloves and long-sleeved clothes to cover your skin.
Clean well
Wash clothes or bedding the tick touched thoroughly in hot water. Vacuum the place, especially in corners and crevices.
Removing ticks
Use thin tweezers to grasp the tick as near to the skin as you can. Pull upward slowly, without twisting or jerking, to prevent the tick’s head from breaking off in your skin.
After removing the tick, clean the bite spots with alcohol or soapy water. You can use alcohol to get rid of the tick or flush it down the toilet.
Watch the bite
Keep an eye on any bites you find and check the person who got bitten for symptoms.