How to Properly Check for Ticks: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ever wondered how to spot those pesky ticks before they become a problem? Ticks can carry various tick-borne diseases, making it important to identify them on your body or pets quickly.

Checking for ticks is a straightforward process that can help keep you and your loved ones safe. Keep reading for some easy steps to keep tick-free all season long.

Key Takeaways

• Checking clothes, using insect repellent, and washing them in hot water can help prevent ticks from entering your home.
• Inspecting your body, including hard-to-see and tick-prone areas, is important for finding attached ticks.
• Showering after outdoor activities helps remove unseen ticks and reduces the chance of infection, while using tweezers is necessary if ticks are found.
• Watch any tick bite sites for symptoms like fever or rash and seek medical help if needed, while pest control services can assist with tick identification and prevention.

Step-by-Step Guide to Tick Checks

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes the importance of tick checks as part of public health practices to reduce the risk of infections such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Follow this step-by-step guide to check for these pests and prevent tick bites.

Step 1. Inspect Clothing Before Entering Your Home

Start by checking your clothing for any hitchhiking ticks. Look at the seams and folds where these tiny arachnids might hide. Wearing light-colored clothes can make it easier to spot ticks. When in tick-prone areas, tuck pants into socks and shirts into pants.

If you find any, remove them carefully and wash the clothes in hot water at a temperature of at least 130°F in a high-heat setting. Consider using an insect repellent approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For example, permethrin can be used to treat your clothing.

Step 2. Examine Your Entire Body with a Full-Length Mirror

Once inside, use a full-length mirror to view your entire body. Carefully scan different parts to detect ticks that might have attached themselves using mouthparts.

Pay special attention to hard-to-see areas, such as the belly button, the neck, and the backs of the legs. For better visibility, use a handheld mirror or your phone's camera to check areas that are harder to see, like the back of your body and hairline.

Step 3. Focus on Tick-Prone Areas Such as Underarms and Knees

Ticks prefer warm, moist parts of your body, such as the armpits, the waist, behind the knees, and between the legs. As you conduct your body check, use your fingers to gently feel for any raised areas that could suggest smaller ones like black-legged tick nymphs.

Step 4. Check Your Hair and Scalp Thoroughly

Ticks often attach to the scalp, especially around the hairline, where they can go unnoticed. Using a fine-tooth comb can help you detect any hitchhikers. Direct light is your friend here, illuminating small dark spots hiding in your hair. Ask a family member to check the back of your head or use your phone's camera to assist.

Step 5. Inspect Children Carefully from Head to Toe

Children often play in areas where ticks thrive, like tall grass and leaf litter. Inspect kids from scalp to toes. Kids can easily overlook a little bite, so your vigilance matters. Using DEET-based repellent on exposed skin can reduce tick encounters. Encourage showering after activities in wooded areas to flush out any hard-to-spot ticks.

Step 6. Scan Pets’ Fur and Skin for Ticks

Pets can bring dog ticks or deer ticks indoors. After outdoor activities, run your hands through their fur to check for any unusual bumps. Focus on their ears, neck, and belly. Using vet-approved tick-repellent products regularly can offer year-round protection from illnesses like ehrlichiosis.

Step 7. Take a Shower to Spot Unseen Ticks

Showering within two hours after you come inside can help dislodge unseen ticks. Take this time to wash areas where they might be hiding thoroughly. If a tick has bitten you, washing can limit the chances of infection by removing them before they can spread pathogens.

Step 8. Use Tweezers to Remove Any Ticks Immediately

Should you find a tick, grasp it with fine-tipped tweezers close to the skin's surface. Pull upwards with steady pressure without twisting. Your goal is to remove it intact. If parts stay embedded, they can increase the risk of infection.

Clean the tick bite site with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Avoid remedies like petroleum jelly or nail polish — they’re ineffective and risky. Knowing swift, safe tick removal is vital for preventing complications.

What to Do After Removing a Tick

Once you’ve safely removed any pests after tick testing, taking the right follow-up steps is crucial to ensure your health and reduce potential risks.

Here’s what to do after removing a tick:

• Watch for redness, swelling, or other signs of irritation over the next few days.
• Be alert for fever, joint pain, rash, or other flu-like symptoms, which could suggest Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, or other illnesses.
• Store the tick in a sealed container or plastic bag if you need it for testing.
• Seek advice from healthcare providers if you notice concerning symptoms or if the tick was attached for more than 24 hours.

Call a Professional Pest Control Service

When unsure about tick species or infestations, consider contacting professional pest control companies (like us at Native Pest Management). We can accurately identify tick types and offer solutions. We can help manage these pests using our EPA-approved methods for safer, healthier environments.