We are in the thick of tick season in New England, and that means MA tick control is in full swing. However, many people have the wrong impression about when tick season begins and ends. Because this leaves you, your family, and your pets vulnerable, AllGreen Lawn Care is here to set the record straight.
March is the wakening month for ticks, and the more sun we get, the more fierce they become. Although the most active months are mid-May through mid-November, tick control is imperative. In the unfortunate event that you or your pet gets a tick bite, knowing how to remove it safely is just as crucial. Although this situation is alarming and scary, we promise there’s no need to panic.
The most critical time for removing a tick is within the first 24 hours of attachment. By doing so, you’ll significantly reduce the chances of contracting Lyme disease or other tick-borne illnesses. Not only do you have limited the timeframe for bacterial transmission, but you’re also providing doctors a faster response time for any treatments they may feel are necessary.
Removing a tick with tweezers
As one of the most common ways to remove a tick, the tweezer technique is endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the ASPCA. This method is simple, effective, and, most of all, safe when executed properly.
With a pair of fine-tipped tweezers, follow these simple steps to ensure proper removal:
- Gently pull back any hair around the tick to expose the bite.
- With your tweezers, grasp the head of the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Slowly pull straight upward until the tick is removed from the skin.
- Once the tick is removed, thoroughly clean the bite with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or an iodine solution.
- Flush the tick to ensure proper disposal. Ticks’ exoskeletons are tough, and it is difficult to tell if the tick is actually crushed.
You can also buy tick remover tools. Most stores stock them this time of year, and they are designed to ensure that the tick’s head is not left behind.
The don’ts of tick removal
As easy as the removal process seems, there are incorrect ways to do it. Here are a few items to keep in mind when removing a latched on tick:
- Never grasp the tick from its body. By doing so, you’re increasing the chances of injecting the bitten person or animal with the tick’s body fluids or blood.
- When pulling the tick from the skin, do not twist or wiggle it. One of the most critical elements of tick removal is to remove the head from the host. If you twist or wiggle, you may tear the head off, leaving it lodged in the skin.
- Do not “crush” a tick and assume it’s dead. You’d be surprised how durable the shell of a tick can be.
- Avoid folklore removal remedies such as suffocating it with petroleum jelly, releasing the grip with essential oils, or using a heat source to burn the tick, releasing the latch from the skin.
Although it’s important to know how to remove a tick when you find one, you still want to avoid ticks at all costs. The best way to protect your lawn and family from ticks is tick control in MA from AllGreen Lawn. Get a free estimate on tick control treatments today!