General

Ticks can be found everywhere on the planet with temperatures above freezing. They are small round arachnids with eight legs and can have either a soft or hard body. Ticks require a blood host to survive and reproduce.

They spread diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Encephalitis. The bites aren’t particularly dangerous, but many of these related diseases are disabling or fatal.

Beware of ticks when:

• Passing through thick vegetation,
• Cleaning host animals,
• Setting up camp,
• Gathering materials to construct a shelter.

Removing Tick

• Pull her off gently – leaving the tick and its mouth parts intact. This can be difficult because some ticks cement their mouth parts into the skin. Every effort should be made to remove this cement. Applying heat, Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum ®, petroleum jelly or fingernail polish is not effective. The following is the recommended procedure:
• Use blunt curved tweezers or a thread,
• Grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible – pull upward with a steady, even pressure,
• Do not twist or jerk the tick – this may cause the mouth parts to detach and remain in the skin,
• You should pull firmly enough to lift your skin,
• Hold this tension for 3 to 4 minutes – the tick will back out,
• Do not squeeze, crush, or puncture the body of the tick – its fluids may contain bacteria,
• Wash your hands and the affected area with soap and water.

Tick Twister

This a simple and safe tool to remove ticks from you or your pet.  It is highly recommended you put one in your camping first aid kit. The tool is made of plastic and looks like a tiny crowbar. Simply wedge the teeth between your skin and the tick, and then gently twist until the tick releases.