First, make sure you wear protective gloves and disinfect your tweezers. Next, using the tweezers, gently pinch the portion of the tick closest to the skin (see below), ensuring you do not squeeze the tick’s abdomen.
Slowly pull the tick away from the skin with the tweezers, using equal and constant pressure. Be careful not to twist or turn the tick.
Don't worry if the tick's head breaks off and stays latched to the skin, as the dangerous part of the tick (the abdomen) has been removed. The rest should be pushed out by your body over time.
Once removed, freeze the tick in a sealable container in case you get sick and your doctor asks you to identify the tick.
After the tick is safely contained, clean the bite area, taking note of the location of the bite by snapping a picture.
It is important to keep an eye on the area where the bite occurred and seek medical attention if you start to notice any skin discoloration or if you feel sick.
In an effort to help you recognize what the common diseases caused by ticks look like, visit the CDC's website.
If you're like most people, you'd prefer to prevent tick bites altogether. Check out these tips on how to prevent tick bites. In addition, a local tick control professional will be able to help you identify trouble spots in your yard and help you develop a prevention plan.