I like to think of myself as someone who shows kindness and love to all animals. Spiders? No problem. Snakes? Bring them on. Even creatures that most people are terrified of don’t make me uncomfortable. I don’t run away or avoid them—I feel like I’ve got the confidence to handle most insects and pests without much trouble.
But let me be real for a moment—there’s one tiny creature that truly tests my patience: ticks.
As much as I hate to say it, I honestly wouldn’t mind if every tick on Earth disappeared overnight. These little pests are more than just creepy. They’re dangerous. Ticks do more than crawl on you and give you the heebie-jeebies.
They can spread some seriously harmful diseases. Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are two major illnesses linked to ticks, and those risks make these tiny creatures more than just an inconvenience. They’re a real threat.
Because ticks are so dangerous, it’s important to know exactly what to do if you come across one. Depending on where you live, the time of year, and whether you have pets, you might find yourself dealing with ticks more often than you’d expect.
Here’s what to do if you ever find a tick:
1. Spot and Contain the Problem
First things first, identify the tick. Is it a black-legged tick? A dog tick? Or maybe a brown dog tick? It’s important to know what you’re dealing with. If you spot the tick in your house or on your pet, make sure to isolate the area.
Get your kids and pets out of the way—keep them far from the tick until you’ve dealt with it.
And don’t forget to protect yourself while handling the situation! Wear gloves and long sleeves to avoid direct skin contact with the tick. This reduces the risk of it latching onto you while you’re trying to deal with it. You don’t want to get too close to these things.
2. Clean Everything
Ticks are incredibly tough to get rid of. If the tick touched anything—bedding, clothes, furniture—you’re going to need to clean it all thoroughly. Wash everything in hot water.
Ticks are resilient, but they can’t survive the heat. Make sure to vacuum the area, paying close attention to cracks, corners, and any small hiding spots where ticks could have laid eggs.
3. Remove the Tick Properly
If you find a tick attached to yourself or your pet, it’s essential to remove it correctly. Grab a pair of fine tweezers and carefully hold the tick as close to the skin as possible.
Slowly and steadily pull it upward without twisting or jerking. “You want to remove it all in one piece,” says an expert. “Especially the head. You don’t want to leave that stuck in your skin.”
After you’ve removed the tick, clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Make sure to kill the tick by soaking it in alcohol or flushing it down the toilet. You want to be sure it’s dead and gone—no surprises later!
4. Keep an Eye on the Bite
Even after you’ve removed the tick, the job isn’t done. You need to watch the bite carefully. Look for any signs of infection, like a rash, fever, fatigue, or joint pain.
These could be early signs of a tick-borne illness, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, don’t hesitate to visit a doctor.
Even if you don’t live in a tick-heavy area, you should still be aware of the risks. And if you live somewhere where ticks are common, or if you have pets that spend time outdoors, staying prepared is even more critical.
By following these steps, you can reduce the risks of ticks and keep yourself and your family safe.
Don’t keep this information to yourself—share it with others! Knowing how to prevent and handle ticks can make a huge difference in staying healthy and safe.
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments!
