Frugal Hiker: Tick removal tools (Otom Tick Twister clone)

$0.61 USD Tick Twister

~$5 USD Otom tick twister

This tick removing tool is available for $0.61 USD delivered on Aliexpress.

2 small plastic forks that remove ticks by rotating them

Probably the easiest way to safely remove ticks

Minimizes the risk of Lyme disease, Alpha-gal allergy, or other tick borne diseases

Very similar to the $5 USD Otom tick twister

4.8cm (small fork) + 5.2cm (large fork)

~10g

These plastic forks remove ticks safely and quickly by spinning them until they fall off.

They use an identical mechanism to the Otom "Tick Twister" tools - the smaller fork is for smaller ticks and the larger is for larger ticks.

How it works
Ticks attach to animals and humans by inserting their long, barbed, central mouth-part (hypostome) into the skin.

(e.g. this youtube video if you aren't squeamish)

Instead of pulling against the barb, the fork of the tool is inserted around the mouth-parts of the tick so they fit securely within the groove, and the tool is spun (any direction) until the tick releases.

This page has a good video showing usage.

After removing the tick, the wound can be disinfected and the tick disposed of in a safe way (though some suggest keeping the tick carcass for later testing, should symptoms appear).

Why use a tick removal tool
Removing a tick properly is important as they can be transmitters of serious diseases .

e.g (depending on region):

Incorrect removal technique (e.g. pulling, burning, suffocating) can cause the tick to regurgitate into the bite, or leave the mouth parts in the wound.

While tweezers are also a valid option (pulling straight up), bad technique can squeeze the tick or break it apart, and the tweezers would have to be sterilized afterward - rendering them useless for the rest of the trip.

Specifications:

2pcs tick forks

4.8cm small sized fork
5.2cm large size fork
Small ziplok bag

Pros

2 forks cover all tick sizes
Simple and quick operation
Minimizes the risk of some very nasty tick-borne diseases
Better than Swiss Army Knife tweezers that can't grip the tick without squeezing it
Suitable to use on pets also

Cons

Single function tool (unlike tweezers)
Tricky to use solo if the tick is in a hard to reach location (also true with tweezers)
May not need to carry it depending on location / season