2009.05.01
Helpful hint: Dish soap will dislodge a tick
With the warm weather and fun-in-the-sun comes the risk of getting bitten by nasty bugs. We use a monthly prescription flea medication on our dogs and cats that also covers ticks, but no protection is 100 percent effective.
Here's a little tip I found on the Web this week:
If you find a tick on your pet or, yikes, on yourself, it can easily be removed without tweezers or pulling on the nasty bloodsucker.
Take liquid soap and saturate a cotton ball. Cover the offending bug and rub slightly with the soap-soaked cotton ball for 20 to 30 seconds. The tick will come out on its own into the cotton ball. (Where he can be squished and disposed of properly!)
If you have ever tried this, post a comment and let us know how it worked. If you have other suggestions for ridding your pets of invaders, please share.
The best method I've been told is physical removal (using small tweezers according to the CDC). Some of the other removal techniques (petroleum jelly, nail polish, match/lighter) can stress the critter and cause it to regurgitate it's tickly goodness into you or yer dog.
Not saying this technique won't work or isn't recommended. Just be careful what you find on the internet.
Comment by Ed S. — May 3, 2009 @ 11:20 pm
This is from Snopes.com it says that method does not work. It also advises against the petroleum jelly, nail polish, match, etc.
http://www.snopes.com/oldwives/tick.asp
Comment by Debbie — May 4, 2009 @ 3:56 pm
Good point, Ed. This seems like a pretty non-threatening, non-toxic way to get the nasty varmit to come out on his own. I am very fortunate to have never had to remove a tick from anyone or anything. I just want to be prepared for that fateful day.
Comment by Nona Nelson — May 4, 2009 @ 4:03 pm