How to Remove Ticks Without Tweezers

More closely related to spiders than to insects, ticks are small, biting arachnids that adhere to the skin of people and pets alike in order to feed. Correct tick removal is a handy skill when you or someone you know spend time enjoying the great outdoors. The most dangerous part of being bitten by a tick is the chance of contracting Lyme disease, although it is important to remember that not all ticks are infected. One of the most effective ways of removing a tick is with a pair of tweezers, but these may not always be available. It's possible to safely remove ticks without tweezers.

Put gloves on to remove the tick. Removing ticks should not be attempted with bare hands. A tick can easily latch on to the person trying to remove it and release toxins into the bare skin. Latex or surgical gloves will work well, protecting the hands while not interfering with movement.

Find a tool to replace the tweezers. Use needle-nosed pliers or forceps. Leatherman pliers also work in a pinch for tick removal. The head of the tool should be small enough to grip the tick without crushing it, and the inside should be smooth to keep from tearing the body and releasing toxins.

Grab the tick as close to the skin as possible, gently, not squeezing hard enough to crush the arachnid. When ticks bite, they latch onto the victim with mouthparts. Different types of ticks have different types of bites, and holding the animal as close as possible to the skin will help remove the tick without leaving pieces behind.

Draw the tick out of the skin with a smooth, gentle motion, continuing to be careful not to squeeze the arachnid. As long as there is a connection between the tick and the skin, infection can be passed from the tick to the host. Squeezing the animal's body will release the contents of the tick directly into the wound during an incorrect tick removal. Be sure the movement is straight and along the same angle at which the tick's body is positioned to prevent breaking and tearing.

Place the tick in a jar of alcohol to kill it.

Wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and apply a disinfectant solution in case there is the presence of any type of bacteria. Don't apply the disinfectant prior to removing the tick as early application can result in the irritation of the animal, causing it to release and transfer bacteria. It may be necessary to also remove the mouthparts of the tick. Don't panic if these parts are left behind -- this does not increase the likelihood of infection.