Let's list ticks among Kharma's least-favorite things about California, along with fleas and heartwork mosquitoes. January's neither flea nor mosquito season, but apparently the ticks are active since Kharma brought back a souvenir from our brief trip to see the in-laws.
The tick passed unnoticed at the vet visit just a day after we returned. The not-so-little bugger survived our nightly canine brushing (New Year's resolution #3) but thankfully not my sweetie's sharp eyes.
A quick Google search to ensure we removed it correctly turned up the improbable suggestion that we simple rub the body using a circular motion and the tick would disengage voluntarily. Given that no tweezers or pulling was required, we gave it a try.
Thirty seconds later. Bingo!
I know the entire tick was out because it was (shudder) crawling around in the jar afterwards just before I poured acetone over it. Simple alcohol would have worked, but I was in the mood for a bit of overkill (and an extended session of soapy handwashing.) Then we sent it to tick valhalla via burial at sea.
Here's the Instructables site complete with a video showing actual removal.
I'm so glad we live in the flea-free, tick-free, heartworm-free high desert! I love my in-laws but right now I'm happy we don't visit more often!
Kharma might disagree given the amount of petting she receives from G and G, the hot-and-cold running squirrels available for her entertainment and the half-acre of yard--fortunately border collies haven't figured out how to drive.
Yet.
The tick passed unnoticed at the vet visit just a day after we returned. The not-so-little bugger survived our nightly canine brushing (New Year's resolution #3) but thankfully not my sweetie's sharp eyes.
A quick Google search to ensure we removed it correctly turned up the improbable suggestion that we simple rub the body using a circular motion and the tick would disengage voluntarily. Given that no tweezers or pulling was required, we gave it a try.
Thirty seconds later. Bingo!
I know the entire tick was out because it was (shudder) crawling around in the jar afterwards just before I poured acetone over it. Simple alcohol would have worked, but I was in the mood for a bit of overkill (and an extended session of soapy handwashing.) Then we sent it to tick valhalla via burial at sea.
Here's the Instructables site complete with a video showing actual removal.
I'm so glad we live in the flea-free, tick-free, heartworm-free high desert! I love my in-laws but right now I'm happy we don't visit more often!
Kharma might disagree given the amount of petting she receives from G and G, the hot-and-cold running squirrels available for her entertainment and the half-acre of yard--fortunately border collies haven't figured out how to drive.
Yet.
She is a cutie. Glad you got the pest. I just saw on TV an advertisement for a show, don't know the name, but it was about a tick invasion. Never thought that could happen. They were all over the bed, bathroom, just creepy.
ReplyDeletePoor baby. I am glad you found it. I use to hate to get rid of them on rare occasions when I had the dogs. Nasty little critter. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI love the word you chose for me.......I think that's what I have been trying to find......that's me for sure.
ReplyDeleteI don't think my flea invasion was one of my best comments, hah.