10 of the best tick removal tools for 2024

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A quick look at 10 of the best tick removal tools

• Best for fine-tipped tweezers: Tweezerman Splintertweeze
• Best for tick identification: TickCheck Premium Tick Remover Kit
• Best for portability: The Original Tick Key
• Best for thicker handles: Uncle Bill’s Sliver Gripper
• Best for humans and animals: TickEase Dual-Tipped Tick Removal Tool
• Best for multiple tools: Boao Tick Removal Kit
• Best for curved tweezers: PrimeJedi 2-in-1 Tick Removal Tool Set
• Best for a spoon tool: TickCheck Tick Remover Spoon
• Best for different tick sizes: COITEK 3-in-1 Tick Remover Kit
• Best for a lifetime warranty: eTradewinds Tick-Off Pro

Finding a tick on a person’s body can be disconcerting as well as a health risk. This is because it can lead to Lyme disease, which affects around 40 per 100,000 people and is more common in spring, summer, and early fall.

Prompt tick removal can help lower a person’s risk of tick-borne disease. Using a tick removal tool may help remove the tick safely without leaving behind its head.

A tick removal tool can make it easier to remove a tick from a person’s body.

These tools help a person grasp and hold on to the part of the tick closest to a person’s skin and maintain the steady pressure it takes to pull the tick out without breaking it.

It is important to note that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that, while many tick removal tools are on the market, a set of fine-tipped tweezers is suitable for removing ticks.

Below are some tick removal tools a person may consider purchasing.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.

Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.

Best for fine-tipped tweezers: Tweezerman Splintertweeze

• List price: around $15
• Number of tools: one
• Customer rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
• Main feature: the hand-filed pointed tips may make it easier to remove ticks

The CDC states that fine-tipped tweezers are suitable for removing ticks. These stainless steel tweezers have long, pointed tips hand-filed to a precision point.

People can use these tweezers to remove ticks, ingrown hairs, and splinters.

Pros and cons

None of the reviews online mention tick removal. However, several customers said the tweezer points were sharp and small enough to remove splinters and ingrown hairs.

However, those who left more negative reviews stated that the tweezers were either not precise enough, or were too sharp.

Best for tick identification: TickCheck Premium Tick Remover Kit

• List price: around $13
• Number of tools: two
• Customer rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
• Main feature: contains a tick identification card to identify tick species of concern

This tick removal kit contains a tool case, a stainless-steel V-shaped tick remover, and a pair of fine tweezers. It also includes a tick identification card to help people identify the species they have removed.

Pros and cons

Reviewers state that the product is well-made and appreciate the tool case, saying it is useful for camping and hiking.

However, some people found the V-shaped remover too big to remove all ticks.

Best for portability: The Original Tick Key

• List price: around $20
• Number of tools: three
• Customer rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
• Main feature: attaches to keychains and backpacks for portability and accessibility

This tool is 0.06 x 2.5 x 1.5 inches (in), making it easy to carry around. The company states that it easily fits onto a keychain, backpack, tackle box, and hunting kit.

Additionally, people can use this tool to remove ticks on animals.

People center the key slot of the device over the tick and use gentle pressure and leverage to remove the bug.

Pros and cons

Many reviewers found this product easy to use, effective, durable, and easy to clean.

However, others said the devices were not as effective for the small ticks that transmit Lyme disease.

Best for thicker handles: Uncle Bill’s Sliver Gripper

• List price: around $12
• Number of tools: two
• Customer rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
• Main feature: thicker handles may make it easy to maneuver and grip ticks

The company states that these stainless steel tweezers are made in the United States. The thicker handles may make it easier to hold the tweezers, and people can easily attach the tools to keychains or backpacks.

Pros and cons

Amazon reviews do not mention tick removal when discussing these tweezers.

However, those who left positive reviews state that the tweezers are durable and, while not always the best tool for every job, are a good option to have on a keychain.

Those who left negative reviews state that the tweezers break off from the keychain, or are not as precise as other brands.

Best for humans and animals: TickEase Dual-Tipped Tick Removal Tool

• List price: around $12
• Number of tools
• Customer rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
• Main features: has two ends — one for humans and the other for animals

This tick removal tool features one end for humans and another for animals. The V-shaped tool is for lifting larger ticks that the company states are more common on animals and pets, while the other side has fine-tipped tweezers.

This product is 5.5-in long and comes with a mini magnifier.

Pros and cons

Online reviewers state that they appreciated they could use the tool on people and animals. People also state that the tool removes the tick with the head still attached.

However, others say that they could not get a firm grip on the tick with the tweezer end, and the V-shaped tool was too blunt to be effective.

Best for multiple tools: Boao Tick Removal Kit

• List price: around $9
• Number of tools: seven
• Customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
• Main feature: has several tools that may suit different tick removal needs

This kit contains seven pieces:

• three plastic hooked fork-shaped tick removers of different sizes
• one stainless-steel V-shaped tool
• one fine-tipped stainless steel tweezer
• one flat-tipped stainless steel tweezer
• one stainless steel comb

People can use the kit to remove ticks from animals and people alike. It is available in several different colors.

Pros and cons

There are only two written reviews for this product. The positive review states the tweezers and comb are effective at removing ticks from pets.

The negative review says that the comb has too large teeth, making it ineffective for removing ticks.

Best for curved tweezers: PrimeJedi 2-in-1 Tick Removal Tool Set

• List price: around $12
• Number of tools: two
• Customer rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
• Main feature: curved tweezers may make it easier to place the tweezers underneath the tick

This product comes in a clear plastic tube that makes it convenient to store in a pocket or first aid kit. It includes an electro-plated stainless steel V-shaped tick removal tool and a pair of curved tweezers.

The company states that the electro-plated stainless steel helps prevent corrosion.

Pros and cons

This product is suitable for use on animals and humans. Additionally, the electro-plated stainless steel may help prevent corrosion and rust, making it more durable.

There are no negative reviews on Amazon at the time of publishing. However, some people may find the V-shaped tick removal tool is not as easy to use on some small ticks.

Best for a spoon tool: TickCheck Tick Remover Spoon

• List price: around $6
• Number of tools: three
• Customer rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
• Main feature: lightweight and may be easier to use than tweezers

This product features three spoon tick removal tools. These lightweight, plastic spoons have a notch for catching the tick and scooping it out, which some people may find easier than pulling the tick out with a tweezer.

The package includes a waterproof tick identification card. A carabiner makes it easy to keep the tools nearby when hiking or camping.

Pros and cons

Some online reviewers state that removing the tick and capturing it in the belly of the spoon makes it easier to identify the bug. Others say that the spoons are useful for humans and animals.

However, others report that the device was too big to remove smaller ticks. Some people also state that the spoons are too flimsy to maneuver through pet hair.

Best for different tick sizes: COITEK 3-in-1 Tick Remover Kit

• List price: around $10
• Number of tools: three
• Customer rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
• Main features: the tools are different sizes for different-sized ticks

This kit contains three tools for different-sized ticks. The tick removal fork is for larger ticks, the double-sided tweezers are for small ticks, and the super-fine curved tweezers are for tiny ticks.

These tools are all stainless steel and come in a clear plastic container for portability.

Pros and cons

Online reviewers state that the different-sized tools are convenient and work better than an all-purpose tweezer when picking off ticks.

However, some people reported that the curved tweezers bend easily, especially if the human or animal moves during the tick extraction.

Best for a lifetime warranty: eTradewinds Tick-Off Pro

• List price: around $13
• Number of tools: one
• Customer rating: 4.6 out of 5
• Main feature: offers a lifetime replacement warranty and guarantee

This foldable tick removal tool is two tools in one. One tool is a tick removal fork, and the other is a fine-tipped pair of tweezers.

The company states that the tools are surgical-grade stainless steel. The device comes with a protective leather case and a tick identifier card.

Pros and cons

The company offers a lifetime replacement warranty and guarantee on this product.

Online reviewers state the tools are durable and that combining two tools in one made it easier to not lose the product.

However, others say the tools do not work as well on smaller ticks as they do on larger ones.

The following table compares the tick removal tools in this article.

People may wish to consider the following when choosing a tick removal tool:

• Size: Ticks can be very small, and a person should ensure the tool they choose can easily remove ticks of most sizes. V-shaped tools may work better on larger ticks.
• Method of removal: People should avoid devices that require a twisting motion to remove ticks. Twisting or jerking the tick can cause the mouth to break off and remain in the skin.
• Portability: People may wish to choose devices that are easily portable, such as those that attach to keychains. Having tick removal tools easily accessible means that a person can remove the ticks as soon as possible.
• Extra features: Some kits come with a tick identifier card. This may appeal to people concerned if a tick species carries a greater risk of transmitting the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
• Price: Tick removal devices tend to be around the same price point. However, people may find purchasing a product containing two or more tools is more cost-effective.

The CDC emphasizes that the most important thing to do after a person finds a tick is to remove it as quickly as possible.

The organization provides the following instructions to remove ticks:

1. Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers or tick removal tools to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
2. Pull upward with steady and even pressure, avoiding twisting or jerking the tick. Twisting or jerking the tick can cause the mouth to break off in the skin.
3. If the mouth remains in the skin, try to remove it with tweezers. If this is not possible, leave the remains of the tick alone and let the skin heal.
4. Once a person has removed the tick, they should wash, clean, and disinfect the affected area and their hands.

People should dispose of the tick in alcohol, in a sealed plastic bag or container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet. It is important not to crush the tick with bare fingers.

According to the CDC, ticks in the U.S. can carry up to 15 different diseases, including:

• anaplasmosis, from the blacklegged and western blacklegged ticks in the northeastern and upper midwest U.S., and along the Pacific coast
• babesiosis, from the blacklegged tick in the northeast and upper midwest
• Bourbon virus, in the midwest and southern U.S.
• Colorado tick fever, from the Rocky Mountain wood tick in the Rocky Mountain states
• ehrlichiosis, from the lone star tick in southcentral and eastern U.S.
• heartland virus, from the lone star tick in the midwest and southern U.S.
• Lyme disease, from the blacklegged and western blacklegged ticks in the northeast, upper midwest, and Pacific coast
• Powassan virus, from the blacklegged and groundhog ticks in the northeastern states and Great Lakes region
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever, from the American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick, and brown dog tick in Central and South America

Learn more about the different types of ticks and diseases.

In 2019, the latest year for recorded data, the CDC reported 50,865 known cases of ticks causing disease. Lyme disease was the most common tick-borne disease, affecting 34,945 people.

The best way to prevent Lyme disease after a tick bite is to remove the tick promptly.

The CDC states that only blacklegged ticks can transmit this disease, and even then, they can only transmit the bacteria after they are attached to the skin for at least 24 hours.

However, it is important to contact a healthcare professional as soon as possible if a person notices any symptoms of Lyme disease. These symptoms include:

• rash
• fever
• body aches
• facial paralysis
• arthritis

To prevent tick-borne illnesses, a person in an area with active ticks should remove underbrush and spray insect repellent.

People should wear clothing in a downward fashion, which means that shirts go over pants, which go over boots. This helps prevent ticks that fall off do not fall underneath other clothing.

It is important to check all adults, children, and pets for ticks daily. Early intervention can prevent the spread of tick-borne illnesses.

Here we answer some common questions about tick removal.

What happens if a tick head gets stuck in the skin?

The CDC says that if a tick head gets stuck in the skin, a person can try to remove it with tweezers. If a person cannot remove the tick head, they may let the skin heal over.

Healthcare professionals may use local anesthesia and more invasive techniques to remove the tick head.

How can someone remove a tick without a tool?

The CDC states that fine-tipped tweezers are also effective if a person does not have a tick removal tool. A person should follow the usual tick removal techniques with tweezers.

How do people remove an embedded tick?

The best way to remove an embedded tick is to use a tick removal tool or fine-tipped tweezers to get a secure grip on the tick closest to the skin and pull slowly and steadily without twisting.

Ticks can be a significant health risk, as they can transmit several illnesses. Prompt removal of ticks helps reduce these risks.

A tick removal tool can help make this easier, whether it is a pair of fine-tipped tweezers, a tick removal spoon or fork, or a combination tool. Tick removal tools are available at a range of prices.