Ticks are commonly found in many areas throughout Wisconsin and can spread diseases to people and animals by biting them.
Ticks feed on blood by attaching their mouth parts into the skin of a human or animal. During feeding, ticks release saliva that may contain germs.
After you, your family members, or your pets spend time in the woods or areas with tall grass or brush, it is always important to check for ticks, especially in the spring, summer, and early fall.
Ticks must bite you to spread their germs. They also must remain attached to you for at least 24 to 36 hours to spread most germs, including the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. The best way to avoid getting sick from a tick is to prevent them from biting you. There are many ways to prevent tick bites when spending time where ticks may live, including doing daily tick checks, showering within two hours after being outdoors, using insect repellent, and wearing long sleeves and pants to prevent ticks from getting on you.
If you find a tick attached to your skin, simply remove the tick as soon as possible. There are several tick removal devices on the market, but a plain set of fine-tipped tweezers works very well.
How to remove a tick
- Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you cannot remove the mouth easily with tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal.
- After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
- Never crush a tick with your fingers. Dispose of a live tick by
- Putting it in alcohol,
- Placing it in a sealed bag/container,
- Wrapping it tightly in tape, or
- Flushing it down the toilet.