Removal: tick removal cards

01

A tick removal card is a credit-card-shaped piece of plastic with a tapered notch cut into one edge. It works by sliding the notch flat against the skin until the tick's mouthparts seat in the narrow end, then levering up.

02

Lay the card flat on the skin next to the tick.

03

Slide the card so the tick slips into the wide end of the notch.

04

Keep the card flat and push gently forward until the tick is wedged in the narrow end.

05

Lift up in one motion. The tick should come free.

06

Clean the bite and dispose of the tick as you would after tweezer removal.

07

Cards are wallet-portable and useful in the field. They can struggle with very small nymphs - keep tweezers as a backup.