Why would we ask this question?

Some fake news is worth reporting and re-reporting. A couple of years ago, a tick removal video spread like wildfire across social media, and for good reason! Essential oils are commonly used for ailments, such as migraines and sleeplessness, and even play a role in all-natural mosquito protection. However, using peppermint oil to remove a tick from your skin is a BIG no-no! This video showed how easily it was to get the tick to back off by applying peppermint oil, but this should not be repeated. This is a situation, where the poster’s heart was probably in the right place, but did not realize the harm this viral video could do.

This tick removal video is dangerous business, but why?

First of all, it is believed that this tick was not actually attached, and could be a male tick. Male ticks do not attach themselves to hosts. Their main goal in life is to find a female to mate with. Female ticks attach to hosts, and spread tick-borne illnesses, such as Lyme disease, with their saliva. Had this been a female tick, which was attached for her blood meal, applying peppermint oil could have created a situation where she produced and injected more saliva to the person. Very dangerous business!

How should a tick be removed properly?

Removing ticks is a fairly unscientific process, but should be followed carefully for proper removal, as to not leave the head or other mouth parts in your skin.

Use pointed-tip tweezers, so you can position the tool at the proper 90-degree angle in which the tick should be removed. Get a firm hold of the tick, very close to the skin. Use a steady, fluid motion for removal – DO NOT pull quickly or jerk, as doing so could likely leave behind tick parts under your skin.

Central Mass ticks – what do you do after tick removal?

With the prevalence of Lyme disease in Central Mass, it is essential that once you properly remove a tick, that you put the tick in a sealed container, such as a plastic bag or old prescription bottle. Save the tick and observe yourself for signs of infection for at least 30 days. Sealing and saving the tick will allow for further disease testing to be done if you show signs of tick-borne illness. If you feel ill for any reason, please see a doctor, and let them know that you recently removed a tick from your skin.

Central Mass tick control is essential for your family.

I urge all Central Mass residents to be vigilant in their tick protection methods. Please consider protecting your home and family from the threat of tick-borne diseases by preventing ticks from reaching them. Call on a professional tick protection company, who will use a barrier protection spray for your property. These EPA-registered tick control sprays are administered every three weeks or so. They will knock down ticks on contact, and continue eliminating them with a special time-released tick protection formula.

Also read: How to Remove and Dispose of a Tick