FoodBanter.com - View Single Post - OT - not going to say I hate summer but I hate bugs

blake murphy[_2_]

On Tue, 05 Jul 2011 23:46:32 -0700, sf wrote:

> On Wed, 6 Jul 2011 06:10:05 +0000 (UTC), (Steve
> Pope) wrote:
>
>> sf > wrote:
>>
>>>On Tue, 05 Jul 2011 21:49:32 -0400, Dave Smith
>>
>>>> I have been more diligent with the
>>>> flea and tick treatment for the dog. I started this year's treatment in
>>>> June, as per the vet's instructions. Two days later he had a tick on his
>>>> side. They are nasty looking creatures, and darned near impossible to kill.
>>>
>>>My father used to hold the red end of a cigarette up to them and make
>>>them explode.
>>
>> That works, but so does grabbing them with a pair of needle-nose pliers.
>> There is no way to crush them without pliers and even then it can
>> be tough.
>>
> There was some sort of a problem with using the tweezers before
> exploding their bodies. Don't ask me what, I was a kid at the time...
> not even a teenager. I only remember something about the head
> remaining in the dog's body. Maybe he exploded the tick so he could
> get at the head easier. I dunno. It's been too long, if I ever knew
> why.

that's what i recall. you wanted to do something to make the tick back out
- heat, or cover the spiracles with petroleum jelly. leaving the head in
could lead to infection.

hmm, the CDC says not:

<http://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html>

your pal,
blake