I like to think of myself as someone who approaches all creatures with love and understanding. Even spiders and snakes, which are common phobias for many people, don’t scare me to the point that I’d go out of my way to avoid them.
You could say that I have a pretty high tolerance when it comes to creepy crawlies… except for ticks.
Yes, I’ll admit it—if ticks disappeared from the planet tomorrow, I wouldn’t lose a second of sleep. Not only are they a nuisance (invasive, and undeniably unsettling to most people), but they can actually be quite dangerous.
Ticks are known to carry harmful diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, so it’s safe to say they’re not exactly the kind of guests you want hanging around your home.
Depending on where you live, the time of year, and whether or not you have pets, the likelihood of encountering ticks can be quite high.
So, what should you do if you find one of these tiny pests inside your home? That’s why you’re here, and I’m here to help. Let’s dive into how to deal with them…
Step 1: Identify and Isolate the Problem
Try to identify the type of tick you’re dealing with (e.g., black-legged, dog, or brown dog tick). If the tick is in a specific area of the house, keep children or pets away from that spot until it’s dealt with.
Step 2: Protective Steps
To prevent the tick from attaching to you, wear gloves and long-sleeved clothing so your skin is covered.
Step 3: Clean Thoroughly
Wash any clothing, bedding, or fabric that the tick may have come into contact with, using high heat. Vacuum the area carefully, paying close attention to corners and cracks.
Step 4: Tick Removal
Use fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Gently pull upward—avoid twisting or jerking to ensure the tick’s head doesn’t break off and stay embedded in the skin.
After removal, clean the bite area with alcohol or soap and water. You can either dispose of the tick by flushing it down the toilet or soaking it in alcohol.
Step 5: Monitor the Bite
It’s important to monitor the bite site for any changes, and keep an eye out for symptoms of tick-borne illnesses.
Hopefully, this helps! If you found this article useful, feel free to share it on Facebook to spread the word.