I like to think of myself as someone who cares deeply about all living things.
Spiders? Snakes? Most people can’t stand them, but I’m usually okay—I don’t run away from them or anything. You could say I’ve got a pretty high tolerance for creepy crawlies.
But not ticks.
As much as I hate to admit it… I wouldn’t lose a wink of sleep if every tick vanished tomorrow.
They’re not just annoying—they can be dangerous too.
Ticks can spread serious diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which is why you definitely don’t want them hanging around your home.
So, what should you do if you come across a tick?
Here’s a quick guide:
Identify and isolate the problem
Figure out what kind of tick it is (dog tick, black-legged tick, etc.).
If it’s in your home, keep your kids and pets away until it’s gone.
Protect yourself
Wear gloves and long sleeves when dealing with ticks to avoid getting bitten.
Clean everything
Wash any bedding or clothes the tick may have touched—use hot water and high heat.
Vacuum carefully, especially around corners and hidden spots.
Remove the tick safely
Use fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick as close to the skin as possible.
Pull upward slowly and steadily—don’t twist, or you might leave the head behind.
Disinfect the area
Clean the bite spot with soapy water or rubbing alcohol.
Dispose of the tick by flushing it or putting it in alcohol.
Watch for symptoms
Keep an eye on the bite. Look out for signs of illness, like fever or rashes, and seek medical help if anything feels off.
Hope this helps!
If you found this useful, please share it on Facebook to help spread the word. Ticks may be small, but the health risks they carry are no joke.