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How to remove a tick safely (step by step)

Removing a tick quickly and correctly lowers the risk of infections such as Lyme disease. All you need is a pair of fine-tipped tweezers.

Step by step

Use fine-tipped tweezers to grip the tick as close to the skin as possible.
Pull upward with slow, steady pressure. Do not twist or jerk.
If parts of the mouth stay in the skin and cannot be removed easily, leave them and let the skin heal.
Clean the bite and your hands with soap and water or alcohol.
Seal the tick in a bag or tape, or take a photo of it, in case a doctor asks about it.

What not to do

Do not burn the tick or cover it with oil, nail polish or petroleum jelly.
Do not squeeze the tick's body.
Do not wait for it to fall off by itself.

Not sure what bug you found?

Take a photo and Insect Scanner tells you its name, whether it is dangerous and what to do. Your first scans are free.

📷 Identify a bug from a photo

When to see a doctor

In the weeks after a bite, see a doctor if you notice a spreading red rash, fever, chills, headache, tiredness or joint pain, and say that you were bitten by a tick.

Preventing tick bites

In long grass and woodland, wear long trousers tucked into socks, use a repellent recommended for ticks, and check your body, your children and your pets when you come home.

⚠ Call emergency services straight away for trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or a scorpion sting in a child. This page is general information, not medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

How soon should I remove a tick?

As soon as you find it. The longer a tick stays attached, the higher the chance of infection.

Can I remove a tick from my dog the same way?

Yes, with fine tweezers or a tick removal tool, then ask your vet about tick prevention.