I like to think I’m pretty tolerant of all creatures—even spiders and snakes don’t bother me. But ticks? That’s where I draw the line.
They’re not just annoying and invasive—they can be dangerous, carrying diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Depending on where you live, the season, and if you have pets, the risk of ticks in your home can be high.
So what should you do if you find one?
1. Identify and isolate:
Figure out what kind of tick it is (black-legged, dog tick, etc.) and keep kids and pets away from the area.
2. Protect yourself:
Wear gloves and long sleeves when handling ticks to avoid direct contact.
3. Clean thoroughly:
Wash clothes or bedding the tick touched on high heat. Vacuum carefully, especially in corners and crevices.
4. Remove the tick:
Use fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick close to the skin and pull upward slowly—don’t twist or jerk. Clean the bite area with alcohol or soap and water. Dispose of the tick in alcohol or flush it.
5. Monitor the bite:
Keep an eye on the bite and the person bitten for any symptoms of illness.