A bull was found dead due to excessive blood loss from ticks in 2019. It’s no surprise then that ticks are considered real-life vampires. What makes them even scarier is the fact that they are very difficult to kill properly. Ticks are small bugs that suck blood. If you are a camping enthusiast, you may find ticks on yourself after moving through thick vegetation. You should always tuck your pants into your socks when in the woods. Most people do not understand ticks and often ask Can you squish a tick? Is it dangerous? If you have similar questions, we have you covered. In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about ticks, their identification, and how to kill them.
What happens if you squish a tick
The question can you squish a tick? Should be rephrased to should you squish a tick?
Depending on the species you definitely can squish a tick. However, it is not recommended that you squish ticks to kill them. There are many reasons why this is not a good idea. If you decide to squish a tick that is attached, all the fluid can go back inside the host. This is extremely dangerous and can easily result in an infection.
It’s Disgusting
Who wants to touch and squeeze a critter as revolting as a tick. Furthermore, when you squish a tick all the blood it has sucked along with its bodily fluids gets flung everywhere. This creates a mess and is extremely disgusting. Also, the fluids can get on your clothes, staining them forever.
Ticks Carry Diseases
The fluids also contain a lot of bacteria. Many contagious tick-borne diseases are transmitted through these bodily fluids. Some of these tick-borne diseases include:
- Lyme Disease
- Anaplasmosis
- Babesiosis
- Ehrlichiosis
- Powassan Virus Disease
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
Why are ticks so hard to squish?
So can you squish a tick or does it depend on the type of tick? Some species have a thick dorsal shield which makes it difficult but it is still possible. This dorsal shield has been perfected over millions of years. It not only protects the tick but also creates an air pocket that allows ticks to remain underwater.
Ticks are survival experts
Ticks can survive for up to 2 years without a blood meal. They are also very resilient to extreme weather conditions. Some species can even survive underwater for two to three days.
After a tick crawls onto a host, it finds a concealed crevice to avoid detection. Furthermore, ticks secretes saliva which has numbing properties. This ensures that the victim does not feel their flesh being ripped apart. This saliva also suppresses the immune system which makes the would less likely to itch. These reasons are why ticks can stay undetected for days even as they grow several times in size.
The following YouTube video explains why ticks can be soo hard to kill:
How to identify a tick
Identifying ticks is essential. Even more so if you are a camping enthusiast. It may be difficult to differentiate between fleas, bed bugs, lice, and ticks. Keep in mind that ticks are arachnids and look similar to spiders. Ticks also have four or eight legs while other insects can have six. Be sure to watch the following YouTube video for a quick and easy tutorial on identifying ticks:
Identifying Tick Species
There are hundreds of tick species found natively in the United States. All of these species suck blood and all of them can carry diseases. Some species feed primarily on animals and are rarely encountered by humans. Other species however are common and can be found in areas frequently visited by humans or pets.
There are three main tick groups responsible for spreading diseases in humans and their pets. Among these are black-legged ticks (also known as deer ticks), lone star ticks, and dog ticks.
- Black-legged ticks are the most common species found in the United States. They have black legs and a rosy-orange midsection. They are usually darker toward the head.
- Female Lone Star ticks are brown and can be identified by a single white dot on their back. Male Lone Star ticks are also brown and usually have scattered spots or streaks around their backs.
- Brown dog ticks are small, with elongated bodies, and are reddish-brown. On the other hand, American dog ticks are the largest common tick species. They can be identified with their ornate dorsal shields which are decorated with white markings.
Male vs. Female Ticks
Although male ticks may attach, they do not take a blood meal and thus cannot spread diseases. This is why it is important to determine a tick’s gender. The ticks you will find attached to a human or an animal will most likely be female.
A reliable way to distinguish between male and female ticks is to look at the size of the dorsal shield. The dorsal shield of males covers almost their entire back, while the dorsal shield of females covers only a small portion of their backs.
How can you tell how long a tick has been attached?
Guessing how long a tick has been attached to a host is a bit tricky. However, the appearance of ticks changes as they feed. This allows us to tell how long they have been attached and feeding. If a tick looks swollen and has a gray or brownish color, then it may have been attached and feeding for more than 36 hours.
How long can a tick stay attached
If a tick is not engorged then it may just have been a few hours since the initial attachment. How long a tick stays attached can depend on a multitude of factors. These factors include:
- The species of the tick
- The life stage of the tick (Larvae, Nymphs, or Adult)
- How the host responds to the tick bite
The tick larvae will stay attached for 3 days. The nymph ticks will attach for 4 days and a female adult tick can remain attached for almost 7 to 10 days. Some species will attach for longer while some will attach themselves for shorter periods. If the host has a strong immune system, the ticks will find it difficult to stay attached.
How do you know if a tick’s head is still in your skin?
When trying to remove a tick its head can detach from its body and remain stuck. It is important to get the entire tick off your body as soon as possible. If left for too long the bacteria can spread into your skin and cause infections or diseases such as Lyme disease.
After removing a tick try to look at it and see if the legs are moving. If they are not moving then luck is not on your side. The head got detached and is most likely still in your skin.
How to remove the detached head
If the tick’s head is visible on the skin then you should try and remove it using tweezers. If the head is not visible or is partially visible then you will need to tug on your skin to move it. Then try and grab it with your tweezers. You will know success when you see the head on the tip of the tweezer.
Best ways to kill a tick
If you are anything like us, all you want right now is to kill these disgusting critters. Identification skills and general tick knowledge is useful. But knowing how to properly kill and dispose of these disease-carrying arachnids is more crucial. Can you squish a tick to death? Sure but there are better methods.
Killing an attached tick
If a tick is attached to a person, you need to detach it right away. Avoid using your hands and use tweezers instead. If you have no choice but to use your hands make sure you wear disposable gloves. Grab the tick firmly and pull in a slow and straight motion, directly upwards.
Use Heat
If you are out camping chances are that you already have a campfire set up. Killing ticks by throwing them into the campfire is a valid option. This method is quick and is quite sanitary.
Tape Method
Use tape to wrap up the tick. You can use transparent tape and cover the tick on all sides. This will not allow the tick to escape and death will soon follow. This method will also keep the tick intact and not create a mess. If you are bitten be sure to save the tick in a paper envelope. This will help the Doctors identify the tick and treat you effectively if you start showing symptoms.
Rubbing Alcohol
You can also drop the tick into rubbing alcohol. It might take some time for the tick to die but it is inevitable. Water however will not work, so flushing down the toilet is not an option. If you do not have rubbing alcohol, try using vinegar or bleach. Make sure to cover the container with a lid to prevent the tick from escaping.
After killing
Make sure to wash and sanitize the area where the bite occurred. If you get any symptoms from the following list, make sure to visit a Doctor. Do not forget to mention that you were bitten by a tick.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit or the groin area
- Fever and/or chills
- Headaches, muscle aches, or joint pain
- Any significant rash
Killing Ticks on Pets or clothing
When it comes to killing ticks on your pets or in the open, your best bet is to get some sort of tick spray. There are many such products available on the market. We recommend the following plant-based tick spray for your pets and home:
If you want something for your pet, our opinion is to get something that is made for your pet’s species. If you have small children or other pets, you may want to consider oral medication.
For your clothes, it is best to put them in the dryer. Afterward, you can use a tick spray of your choice. Sprays containing permethrin are very effective but keep in mind not to use them around cats. Permethrin can cause them to become sick.
Exterminating an infestation
Ticks require a damp and well-shaded area to survive. Regularly mow your lawn and do not let leaf litter pile up.
If your lawn is next to the woods, you can make an effective barrier using gravel or dry mulch. This will prevent vegetation growth in the barrier region and prevent ticks from entering your lawn.
Pesticides can be used to effectively clear up an infested area. However many pesticides can be harmful to pets and small children. Be cautious where you store them. We recommend the Ortho BugClear insect killer.
Conclusion
Ticks can be a difficult hurdle to overcome especially when camping. The best solution is to carry a tick repellant spray with you whenever you go camping. Our choice is the YAYA Tick Ban.
Next time any of your buddies asks can you squish a tick? Be sure to let them know that there are better ways to kill ticks and not make a complete mess. The methods discussed above will make sure you are disease-free. Our favorite method is to throw the ticks into a campfire. This method is quick and effective. Happy camping!