Ticks get on dogs when they brush against infested grass, shrubs, leaf litter, or another animal. These external parasites do not jump or fly. Ticks wait on vegetation, climb onto passing pets, and move through the coat to reach warm, protected skin. Daily checks, prompt tick removal, and veterinarian-recommended prevention can greatly reduce your dog’s…
A tick bite can be easy to miss, especially after time outside. If you find attached ticks, remove them promptly so the tick has less time to feed and transmit disease. Removing a tick quickly and correctly helps reduce exposure to tick-borne infections and limits skin irritation. Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers, pull steadily upward, clean…
Ticks bite humans, and you may not notice when it happens. These tiny arachnids attach to skin, feed on blood, and may transmit bacteria that cause tickborne diseases. Your risk increases during tick season, especially in spring and summer, when you spend time in wooded, brushy, or grassy areas. A tick bite is usually painless,…
Ticks can carry germs that cause illnesses such as Lyme disease. Touching one with bare fingers puts you at risk. Remove an attached tick promptly with fine-tipped tweezers. Clean the bite area and your hands after removal. You do not need to panic or wait for medical care before removing an attached tick. Use a…
You may be wondering, why are ticks so bad this year? In 2026, several conditions are coming together across parts of the United States. Mild winter weather, insulating snow cover, longer warm periods, abundant wildlife, and changing habitats all play a role. These factors help ticks survive, become active earlier, and stay active later in…
A tick may fall off after it has finished feeding. Waiting for this to happen is not a safe way to deal with an attached tick. Depending on the species and life stage, a tick can stay attached for several days or longer while it takes a blood meal. Remove an attached tick as soon…
Finding an attached tick can be unsettling, especially when you wonder, “why shouldn’t you pop ticks?” Do not squeeze, crush, burn, or smother a tick attached to your skin. Pressure irritates the tick and makes removal harder. Substances like petroleum jelly can delay removal. Use fine-tipped tweezers to remove the tick promptly, then clean the…
Dogs pick up ticks when they brush against infested grass, shrubs, leaf litter, or other animals. Ticks do not jump or fly. They wait with their legs extended, sense a passing host, and crawl through the coat toward warm, exposed skin. Daily tick checks, prompt removal, and veterinarian-recommended prevention greatly reduce your dog’s risk of…
You may be asking why have ticks increased when you find them in yards, on pets, or after a walk. Real changes have affected many parts of the United States, including wider ranges for some species, locally larger tick populations, and longer periods of activity. Climate, moisture, vegetation, wildlife, land use, and human behavior influence…
If you wonder why you shouldn’t burn ticks, the answer is simple. Never use a match, lighter, cigarette, or other heat source on an attached tick. Burning a tick can injure your skin, start a fire, and agitate the tick while it remains attached. Use fine-tipped tweezers and steady, controlled pressure for safe tick removal….