I Found a Tick. Now What?
Finding a tick is not a reason to panic — it's a reason to act intentionally. Here's exactly what to do.
Step 1: Remove the Tick, But Don't Yank it Out
The instinct to pull a tick out fast is the wrong move. Pulling too quickly or at the wrong angle can cause the tick's mouthparts to break off and remain embedded in the skin.
Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool — grip the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible
Pull upward slowly with steady, even pressure — straight up, no twisting, jerking, or crushing
Clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water afterward
Always keep a tick removal tool handy — in your bag, on a hike, in your luggage
Step 2: Don't Throw the Tick Away
The tick itself is information. Knowing whether it was infected matters for your own health decisions and for public health tracking—and given how unreliable human blood tests can be, testing the tick can tell you more than testing yourself.
Identify the species (TickSpotters photo submission or TickEncounter)—not all ticks carry Lyme, so this tells you whether testing is worth it
If it's a deer tick (black-legged tick) and was attached to your skin, send it in for testing (see resource center for testing options)
If you're not sure or want to wait, save the tick in the freezer in a sealed bag with a damp cotton ball and the date you found it—you can test it later if symptoms develop
Step 3: Watch for Symptoms
Symptoms can appear anywhere from three to thirty days after a bite. Early treatment is the most reliable path to full recovery.
Watch for an expanding red rash, though it won't always look like a bull's-eye—and not everyone gets one at all
Other early signs include fever, chills, fatigue, headache, stiff neck, and joint or muscle aches
Symptoms that come and go are still worth tracking, as Lyme is known for being inconsistent
If anything feels off, don't wait for symptoms to worsen—contact a Lyme-literate provider sooner rather than later
Step 4: If You Have a Pet, Check Them Too
Households with pets have nearly twice the risk of finding ticks. Dogs and cats can carry ticks, and they are also susceptible to Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.
Check your pet thoroughly after any time outdoors, including your own backyard
Pay attention to areas around the ears, collar, between toes, under the tail, and around the groin
If you find a tick on your pet, remove it the same way — fine-tipped tweezers, steady upward pressure
Contact your vet promptly if your pet shows any signs of illness after a tick exposure
Prevention is the best tool we have — but when prevention isn't enough, knowing what to do next makes all the difference.
