How to destroy a tick removed from a dog? - briefly
Place the removed tick in a sealed container with 70 % isopropyl alcohol or freeze it for several hours, then discard the container in the trash. Alternatively, submerge the tick in the alcohol for at least 10 minutes before disposal.
How to destroy a tick removed from a dog? - in detail
When a tick has been detached from a dog, the priority is to prevent any surviving pathogen from re‑entering the environment. The safest disposal methods are:
• Place the tick in a sealed, puncture‑proof container (e.g., a small zip‑lock bag). Add a few drops of isopropyl alcohol (70 % or higher) to ensure rapid dehydration. Store the container in a refrigerator for 24 hours, then discard the bag in household waste.
• Submerge the specimen in 70 % ethanol for at least 10 minutes. After immersion, transfer the tick to a sealed container and dispose of it with regular trash.
• Freeze the tick at –20 °C or lower for a minimum of 48 hours. Freezing kills the arthropod and any residual microbes. After thawing, seal the tick in a bag and discard.
• Burn the tick using a flame‑resistant container (e.g., a metal ashtray). Ensure complete incineration; the ash can be swept into a trash bag.
If immediate disposal is not possible, keep the tick in a tightly closed vial with rubbing alcohol until one of the above methods can be applied. Avoid flushing ticks down the toilet, as they may survive in wastewater systems. Proper disposal eliminates the risk of accidental re‑attachment or disease transmission.