Squeezing an Attached Tick in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin Could Infect You

I just spent the weekend hiking the trails at the beautiful Devil's Lake State Park in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The day was an overall blast, save for one instance. My son discovered a tick crawling up my arm. I didn't even feel it. Later, we found another one near our car. So yes, the ticks are out in full force, and they carry a myriad of diseases no one wants.

Spending time outdoors is a summer staple here in the Tri-States. Whether you're hiking, biking, 'shrooming, walking your dog, or just gardening in your backyard. But with all that natural beauty comes the pesky risk of ticks.

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Ticks are common in wooded and grassy areas throughout Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. They latch on to people, pets, and various animals, feeding on blood and potentially spreading some serious diseases like Lyme, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. That’s why knowing how to remove a tick properly is so important.

The One Thing You Should Never Do: Squeeze an Attached Tick

If you find a tick embedded in your skin or your pet’s, resist the urge to pinch or squeeze it, especially if it’s swollen from its continued meal of blood. A full-bodied, engorged tick has been feeding for hours (or longer), and its body is filled with blood.

If you squeeze it, you risk pushing that potentially infected blood back into the bite site, increasing the chance of disease transmission. Think of the tick's mouth like a straw: If the blood can rush in, it can also be forced out.

Here’s how to safely remove the blood-sucking pest:

• Grab a pair of fine-tipped tweezers.
• Gently grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible—you want to grab the head, never the body.
• Pull straight out with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk.

• Once it’s out, clean the bite area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
• Dispose of the tick by sealing it in a plastic bag. Fire is also a great way to permanently end the pest.
• However, you might want to hang on to the tick for a few days in case symptoms develop. It could help your doctor identify the risk or illness, should you contract one.

Keep an eye out for flu-like symptoms or rashes, especially a bullseye pattern. If you feel off, call your doctor. For pets, monitor for lethargy, appetite changes, or limping, and let your vet know about the bite. Ticks are a part of life in the Midwest, and boy do they suck (pun intended), but with a little know-how, you can protect yourself and your pets.