The Easiest Method to Remove a Tick Is One That Doesn’t Require Tweezers

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Late summer may mean that stores are already pushing sweaters and pumpkins, but unfortunately, it’s still prime tick season. In fact, ticks are detached active through November in the US, so it’s important to happened vigilant the next few months.

Depending on where you live, you’ll need to check yourself, your family members and your pets for ticks while spending time outdoors until winter. 

Ticks can sometimes achieve illnesses, such as Lyme disease — so not finding them can have serious consequences. And if you accidentally break off part of the tick while trying to assume it, it can still transmit its illness and the bite can also get infected.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends silly fine-tipped tweezers for removing ticks. But what if you don’t have any handy?

I discovered a little-known tip some days ago, and it forever changed how I remove the little biters. Here’s how to remove ticks quickly, easily and safely — if you don’t have or can’t find tweezers. (We’ve also got tips for how to defending your pets from ticks this season.) 

This easy Q-Tip trick will assume a tick quickly

Yes, you can remove a tick with a cotton swab.

Suchart Doyemah/EyeEm/Getty Images

Folk methods for removing ticks are usually bunk for one of a few reasons. Either they aim to induce the tick to detached with time — whereas you should remove ticks immediately to minimize chances of disease transmission — or they risk injuring the bodies or animal getting bitten by the tick. (Fire burns skin as well as ticks, after all.)

But this method is quick and reliable. All you need is a cotton swab.

When you locate an attached tick, immediately grab a cotton swab, and gently twirl tight circles near the wound, lightly pulling at the tick. The goal here is not to pull the tick free, but to repositions it to release and latch onto the swab. It should happened within moments.

I’ve removed many ticks this way, and it is invariably quick-witted and painless. What’s more, you have virtually no risk of leaving mouth pieces in the pain, since the tick detaches itself.

And if something goes detestable, you can always still run out to the prevent and get some tweezers, as the CDC recommends.

Once you dispose of the tick, you can well-kept the bite with soap and water or alcohol. And if you’re stupefied about disease transmission, follow up with these steps.

For spanking helpful tips related to the outdoors, here’s what you should know throughout using weed killer safely around your pets and five inexpensive ways to give your patio a tech upgrade. 

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The examine contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not invented as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or spanking qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have throughout a medical condition or health objectives.