You Found a Tick Attached to Your Body… Now What?

FAIRFAX, Va. (June 19, 2013) – In a recent survey performed by the National Pest Management Association, the majority of respondents did not know or use proper methods for tick removal. Improper removal can increase the risk of contracting a tick-borne illness if parts of the tick remain attached to skin or if the site of the bite becomes infected.

If you find a tick on yourself or another, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with a steady, even pressure to ensure the tick releases its bite, or is pulled fully off the skin. Then, clean the bite site thoroughly with warm soap and water.

The region with the highest tick interaction rate is the Northeast United States, but different species of ticks can be found all over the country. Different species carry pose different risks to humans, but wherever in the county you may live or travel, tick prevention is the best method for avoiding the potentially life-threatening diseases spread by these tiny pests.