Learn tick removal

Q. I found a tick, can you identify it? I took a tick off myself, what do I do? Are ticks bad this season?

John from Canfield, Darlene from Poland and many more!

A. Ticks seem to be abundant this season, as calls to our clinic have documented several this season.

Our experts say just three tick species are medically important disease vectors. They are the American dog tick, the blacklegged tick (commonly called the deer tick) and the lone star tick.

Another, the brown dog tick, is uncommon, but can establish inside homes where dogs are present.

A tick must be attached for several hours in order to transmit disease. While we should be enjoying nature, we should be aware of ticks.

To avoid ticks, avoid tall, grassy, weedy areas. After encountering weedy areas or the woods, check your head and clothing for ticks and help your child check. If you have a dog, keep the area around its pen mowed and check your pet often. When enjoying nature, tuck pant cuffs into socks or boots. Wearing light-colored clothing makes it easier to find crawling ticks and brush them away.

To reduce ticks around the home and buildings, remove brush and keep grass and weeds cut. Ticks must have moisture and cool areas to survive. This will eliminate their host environment.

Ticks should be removed if attached. Our OSU Extension factsheet recommends the Grasp, Pull, Disinfect, and Save method.

1. Do not crush or puncture the tick during removal. Diseases may be acquired from infected tick body fluids that contact broken skin, the mouth or eyes. Do not use a hot match or cigarette.

2. Do not apply solvents or other materials to the tick. Such treatments may result in increased risk.

3. Avoid touching a tick with bare hands. Shield fingers with a paper towel, wear rubber gloves or use tweezers.

4. Use tweezers to grasp an embedded tick as close to your skin as possible and near the tick’s mouthparts. Use steady pressure to pull it straight out. Do not twist or jerk, as mouthparts may be left in the skin. Do not dig out broken off mouthparts, due to secondary bacterial infections. If concerned, consult your healthcare professional.

5. Disinfect the bite site. Wash your hands with soap and water. Treat with a topical antibiotic to prevent secondary bacterial infection.

6. Save tick for ID. Place in a container with hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol.

If you do not feel well, including having flu-like symptoms, contact your health-care professional immediately. Tell them you were bitten by a tick.

For more information, go to: http://go.osu.edu/tick-id.

Eric Barrett is OSU Extension educator for agriculture and natural resources in Mahoning County. Call the office hotline at 330-533-5538 to submit your questions. Regular clinic hours are Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-noon.