Hey Raven - I had a tic feasting on me and I used that pull-while-turning-counter-clockwise technique, and it came off entirely - that's the best advice I've ever gotten via a message board. Thanks, Woodsman.

Glad to be of service :btu: Joe

i was in solid tick country yesterday crawling around in
the grass rolling up fencing that i need to re-use....

i couldn't wait to get inspected naked by the wife
and shower, plus scrub up heavily.

i had one tick on me that was so micro
sized and i thought "that can't be a tick" and damn it -it was

my fingers hurt! and are swollen like hot dogs " feels like"
from pulling on wire but i am finally done with the salvage operation

i started mid march.

What's so special about counter-clockwise? Is their biting apparatus shaped like a drill bit?

Answered my own question with a quick search:

What is the best way to remove a tick ?


A twister is the best way to remove a tick because it always remove the ticks mouthparts completely from the skin. A twister is an easy to use and quick tool. It also prevents squeezing the tick wich reduces the risk of infection.

1) As u can see on the image below you should grab the tick with the hook until it is stuck. The best way to do this, is to approach the tick by the side.

2) In the following step u should lift the twister slightly and turn it around 2-3 times.

3) At last you should disinfect the skin using alcohol and check if any red circles occur.



tick in dogs head



The mouth of a tick includes a hypostome which is implanted in the skin during the tick bite. There are a lot of hooks on this hypostome so it's difficult to remove it. That's why you never pull a tick with your fingers.

Another dangerous aspect of using your fingers is that u will put a pressure on the ticks body and it will throw up wich increases the risk of disease.

By using a specialised tick twister the tick is turned out of the skin and this lowers the risk of breaking the ticks legs.


remove from a dogs head



It's always safer to consult a doctor in case of a tickbite.

What's so special about counter-clockwise? Is their biting apparatus shaped like a drill bit?
.

nope~ shaped like a screw :uhuh:

they do a little dance on ya and
screw themselves in

we clamp (twirlable) straight forceps on tick
spin em counter clockwise with ease

I was a wood tic - so I think I'm ok, but I'll watch it.