How-To: Remove A Tick

You found a tick on your body, but do you know how to remove it the right way? Believe it or not, there is a correct way to remove a tick from the skin – and a pair of tweezers is all you’ll need. Below is a step-by-step guide from the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) that walks you through how to easily and safely remove a tick on yourself, a family member or even your furry friend. 

For even quicker reference, here's a list of the steps:

1. Stay calm and gently pull back any hair from around the tick, exposing the skin near the tick/bite.
2. Locate the head of the tick, grasp it as close to the skin as possible using fine-tipped tweezers and gently squeeze. Do not grab the tick’s body, as this can increase the chance of injecting the tick’s blood into the skin.
3. Pull outward in a straight motion until the pressure pulls out the head of the tick. Do not twist or wiggle the tick, as that may tear the head off, leaving it lodged in the skin.
4. Once removed, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water. You can also use rubbing alcohol or an iodine scrub.
5. Ticks should then be flushed down a toilet or wrapped tightly in tissue before disposing in a closed receptacle. Do not try and crush them. 
6. If you develop a rash or fever after removing a tick, see your doctor.
7. For added protection, contact a licensed pest control professional to inquire about tick control services for your yard.

Learn more about ticks by viewing our tick Pest Guide.