Bite Back Tick and Mosquito Control: How to Find and Remove Ticks from Your Body
Ticks are small, blood-sucking parasites that can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and anaplasmosis. They can be found in wooded, grassy, or bushy areas, especially where there are deer or other animals. Ticks can attach themselves to any part of your body, but they prefer warm and moist areas, such as the groin, underarms, behind the knees, around the ears, and under the breasts1.
If you spend time outdoors in tick-infested areas, you should check yourself for ticks as soon as possible. Here are some tips on how to find and remove ticks from your body:
- Do an immediate scan. Before entering your car or home, do a quick scan of your body and clothing for any visible ticks. You can use a mirror or ask someone to help you. If you find a tick, remove it carefully with tweezers or a tick removal tool.
- Perform a more thorough check. Once you are indoors, take off your clothes and do a more detailed inspection of your body. Use a magnifying glass or a flashlight if needed. Pay special attention to the areas where ticks like to hide2. If you find a tick, remove it carefully with tweezers or a tick removal tool3.
- Inspect your clothes. Ticks can remain on your clothes even after you take them off. You should put your clothes in a dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill any ticks that may be hiding in them1. Alternatively, you can wash your clothes in hot water and dry them on high heat3.
- Remove ticks correctly. To remove a tick from your skin, follow these steps3:
- Grasp the tick as close as you can to your skin’s surface with tweezers or a tick removal tool.
- Pull straight up and away from the skin, applying steady pressure. Try not to bend or twist the tick.
- Check the bite site to see if you left any of the tick’s mouthparts in your skin. If so, try to remove them with tweezers or a sterile needle.
- Clean the bite site and your hands with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or iodine.
- Dispose of the tick by flushing it down the toilet, wrapping it in tape, or putting it in alcohol. Do not crush it with your fingers.
If you have been bitten by a tick, you should monitor your health for the next few weeks. Some signs and symptoms of tick-borne diseases include fever, rash, headache, joint pain, muscle pain, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes3. If you develop any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Bite Back Tick and Mosquito Control is committed to providing you with effective and safe pest control services. We use natural products that are safe for you, your family, your pets, and the environment. We also offer free estimates and flexible scheduling options. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you enjoy your outdoor space without worrying about ticks and mosquitoes.
