>>291555Fuck I hate ticks.
First thing to do is try to avoid them: they like tall grass, dense vegetation, bushes. They generally climb about a foot off the ground and await an animal to walk by and latch on. On hot days they'll shimmy back down to the ground to moisten up as they're very susceptible to drying out. Your best bet is to stay on the trail, and if you're going off the trail, avoid tall grass and bushes, anything thick or dense; basically, anywhere a raccoon would go is where you want to avoid.
Ticks can't really move much so if you've found one on your head it's 'cause it climbed there or you got your head too close to the ground. You wont find them in trees or any higher than about a foot off the ground as their typical prey is at that height ('coons and the like).
If you wear long clothing and keep entrances to your dermis secure AND avoid their habitat, you'll avoid getting s'ticked. I've been told to wear bright clothes as they're easier to spot that way.
To remove the little fuckers, DO NOT BURN THEM OFF, DO NOT TWIST THEM. Get a pair of tweezers and pull them straight back, opposite direction of their bite. If you're traveling, flick them far off the trail. If you're at camp, smother them in the fire. If you're at home, roll 'em up in tape and trash 'em.
After you've disposed of the little fucker, get some strong rubbing alcohol (91% iso) and clean the wound. Bandage the bite to prevent further irritation.
Check the wound every few hours. If you have a bullseye wound pattern, pack your shit and get to a doc.
Fuckin' hate ticks man.
