Frequently Asked Questions About Ticks & Tick Removal
Learn more about proper tick removal, tick prevention, protecting people and pets, purchasing, and using the Original TickKey™.
1. What is the safest way to remove a tick?
The safest way to remove a tick is by using a proper tick removal tool designed to remove the entire tick without squeezing the body. Grabbing or crushing a tick incorrectly can increase the risk of leaving mouthparts behind or exposing the skin to bacteria and pathogens. The Original TickKey™ helps safely lift the tick from the skin with less irritation and discomfort.
2. Why is it important to remove ticks quickly?
Ticks can carry diseases such as Lyme disease, Alpha Gal, and other tick-borne illnesses. Removing a tick as soon as possible may help reduce the risk of disease transmission. Quick and proper tick removal is important for both people and pets after spending time outdoors in wooded, grassy, or high-risk areas.
3. Can I use a tick removal tool on dogs and cats?
Yes. Tick removal tools are commonly used on dogs, cats, and other pets as well as humans. Pets frequently pick up ticks during walks, hikes, camping trips, or time spent outdoors. Using a proper removal tool like The Original TickKey™ can help safely remove ticks from your pet’s skin and fur without excessive pulling or squeezing.
4. What should I do after removing a tick?
After removing a tick, clean the bite area with soap and water or an antiseptic. It’s also recommended to wash your hands and monitor the area for redness, irritation, rash, or flu-like symptoms over the following days or weeks. If unusual symptoms develop, contact a medical professional or veterinarian. Using our Original TickKey™ tick removal tool can help make the removal process cleaner and easier.
5. Why shouldn’t you remove a tick with your fingers?
Removing a tick with your fingers can squeeze the tick’s body, which may increase the chance of bacteria or infected fluids entering the bite area. Fingers also make it more difficult to fully remove embedded mouthparts. A specialized tick removal tool provides better control and safer removal.
6. Can ticks still bite if they are small?
Yes. Even very small ticks, including deer ticks and nymph ticks, can attach and bite humans or pets. Some smaller ticks may be difficult to notice because of their size, which is why regular tick checks are important after spending time outdoors.
7. Where are ticks most commonly found?
Ticks are commonly found in wooded areas, tall grass, brush, hiking trails, leaf piles, and outdoor areas where wildlife and deer are present. They can also be found in backyards, parks, campgrounds, and fields. Ticks are especially active during warmer months but may remain active year-round in some climates.
8. How do I protect my family and pets from ticks?
Common tick prevention methods include using tick repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants outdoors, checking for ticks after outdoor activities, maintaining trimmed grass and landscaping, and using veterinarian-approved tick prevention products for pets. Carrying a tick removal tool is also recommended when hiking, camping, or spending time outdoors.
9. Can a tick remover help prevent Lyme disease?
A tick removal tool cannot guarantee prevention of Lyme disease or other tick-borne illnesses, but removing ticks quickly and properly using a tool like the Original TickKey™ may help reduce exposure risk. Proper removal is important because crushing or improperly pulling a tick can increase irritation and make removal more difficult.
10. Why should I carry a tick removal tool when hiking or camping?
Ticks are commonly encountered during outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, gardening, and walking pets. Carrying a compact tick removal tool like the Original TickKey™ allows you to quickly remove ticks when they are found, making it a useful item for outdoor safety kits, pet owners, campers, and travelers.
11. How do you properly use the Original TickKey™ tick removal tool?
To use the original TickKey tool properly, place the opening of the tool against the skin and slide it toward the tick so the tick becomes securely positioned in the narrow slot. Once the tick is captured, continue pulling the TickKey tool away from the tick while keeping the tool flush against the skin. Do not lift upward while removing the tick. Sliding the tool parallel to the skin helps safely remove the entire tick more effectively.
12. Which direction should a tick be removed from?
Ticks can generally be removed from either the head side or the hind end depending on positioning and accessibility. However, it is usually best to approach and remove the tick starting near the head whenever possible. Using a tick removal tool like Original TickKey™ while keeping the tool flat against the skin helps provide a smoother removal process and may reduce the chance of leaving mouthparts behind.
13. Where can I buy the Original TickKey™ tick removal tool?
You can purchase Original TickKey™ through retailers that carry our product. Visit our Find a Retailer page to locate stores and dealers that sell Original TickKey™ products near you or online.
If you own a retail store, outdoor shop, veterinary clinic, pet supply business, or other business interested in carrying Original TickKey™ products, you can contact us directly through our website’s contact form or by phone at 203-300-5078 to learn more about wholesale opportunities.
For organizations, or businesses interested in larger quantity purchases, Original TickKey™ products are available in with quantity discounts. And, we offer private-label.
For government agencies, Original TickKey™ products are also available through the GSA Advantage purchasing platform.