tick removal

Share your tips for safe hiking, surviving in the wild and managing hiking injuries!
Jim Wagner
Posts: 35
Joined: December 2nd, 2013, 7:52 pm

Re: tick removal

Post by Jim Wagner » July 8th, 2019, 6:37 pm

Here is an link to an excellent flyer from the CDC on ticks (and removal there-of) and Lyme Disease.

https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/resources/tool ... se-508.pdf

Jim Wagner

User avatar
Bosterson
Posts: 2317
Joined: May 18th, 2009, 3:17 pm
Location: Portland

Re: tick removal

Post by Bosterson » July 8th, 2019, 7:08 pm

Bosterson wrote:
April 10th, 2019, 5:53 pm
I have a Tick Twister that I (thankfully) haven't had to test yet.
Update: a few weeks ago, I had to use the Tick Twister on a hiking partner, and then it had to be used on me, and both times it seemed to work really well. The tick that was pulled off me (after around 4 hours embedded) was so intact that it extracted itself from the twister slot and started crawling around.
#pnw #bestlife #bitingflies #favoriteyellowcap #neverdispleased

User avatar
Chip Down
Posts: 3037
Joined: November 8th, 2014, 8:41 pm

Re: tick removal

Post by Chip Down » July 8th, 2019, 7:16 pm

I try to follow the practice of pulling on a tick gently until it gives up and releases on its own (using the proper instrument and technique). Done correctly, you don't squeeze the tick. Imagine pulling a nail out of wood, using a claw hammer. Same idea. Pull gently until your skin tents out, hold for maybe 15 seconds, if no success pull a little harder. It always works for me, I've never had to pull a tick out using brute force (i.e. I've never pulled a tick off the same way you'd pick a berry, by simply plucking it off quickly). I've only had to extract a handful* of ticks, so I'm far from an expert.

* not literally, that would be horrible

User avatar
Chip Down
Posts: 3037
Joined: November 8th, 2014, 8:41 pm

Re: tick removal

Post by Chip Down » July 8th, 2019, 7:19 pm

Bosterson wrote:
July 8th, 2019, 7:08 pm
The tick that was pulled off me (after around 4 hours embedded) was so intact that it extracted itself from the twister slot and started crawling around.
Yeah, exactly, the ticks I've extracted appeared to be perfectly healthy.
"catch and release" :lol:

User avatar
Waffle Stomper
Posts: 3707
Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm

Re: tick removal

Post by Waffle Stomper » July 13th, 2019, 10:57 am

Chip Down wrote:
April 9th, 2019, 6:20 pm

Incidentally, it's interesting how long an extracted tick can survive. You might think it's dead, but blow on it and it will squirm around for a minute before going dormant again.
I had one squirm in a vial of rubbing alcohol for a couple days before there was no further movement.
"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." - John Muir

User avatar
BigBear
Posts: 1836
Joined: October 1st, 2009, 11:54 am

Re: tick removal

Post by BigBear » July 15th, 2019, 1:23 pm

Chip Down: your "catch and release" comment is very funny

I just hope I don't get bitten by one of your ticks. However, my policy is more like "stand your ground." If it bites me, it dies. That goes for animals big and small.

BTW, I could use another bear skin carpet. That cougar skin in the guest bedroom is getting a bit worn out.posting.php?mode=reply&f=18&t=28121#

User avatar
retired jerry
Posts: 14395
Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm

Re: tick removal

Post by retired jerry » July 15th, 2019, 1:42 pm

hmmm...

my cat bit me...

User avatar
Water
Posts: 1355
Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm

Re: tick removal

Post by Water » July 15th, 2019, 11:18 pm

removed
Last edited by Water on May 6th, 2020, 3:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Feel Free to Feel Free

User avatar
Water
Posts: 1355
Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm

Re: tick removal

Post by Water » November 14th, 2019, 9:11 am

removed
Feel Free to Feel Free

Post Reply