Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Do you guys worry about ticks?

I got this in an email today and thought it was interesting:

"Spring will be here soon and the ticks will soon be showing their heads. Here is a good way to get them off you, your children, or your pets. Give it a try.

Please forward to anyone with children... or hunters or dogs, or anyone who even steps outside in summer!!

A School Nurse has written the info below -- good enough to share -- And it really works!!

I had a pediatrician tell me what she believes is the best way to remove a tick. This is great, because it works in those places where it's some times difficult to get to with tweezers: between toes, in the middle of a head full of dark hair, etc.

Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick with the soap-soaked cotton ball and swab it for a few seconds (15-20), the tick will come out on its own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you lift it away. This technique has worked every time I've used it (and that was frequently), and it's much less traumatic for the patient and easier for me.
Unless someone is allergic to soap, I can't see that this would be damaging in any way. I even had my doctor's wife call me for advice because she had one stuck to her back and she couldn't reach it with tweezers. She used this method and immediately called me back to say, "It worked!"

Please pass on. Everyone needs this helpful hint."

I went to the doctor's today to talk with him about the possibility of Lymes Disease. We'll see what the blood tests have to say...

Great idea. Ticks, like a lot of insects breath through spiracles (valve like openings in their thorax). A ticks just happens to be between his legs. That's why he can breath with his head buried. Anyway, Use anything that will cut off the air (dish soap, vaseline, even lard) and they will back out everytime. Never tried the cottonball trick though. Should be able to try it out this weekend.

My doctor told me the risk of Lyme infection comes when the tick is done sucking your blood and dislodges himself. When he does that he regurgitates a little and his fluids can mix with yours. I presume that is why the risk of infection does not occur as soon as the tick bites.