A few weeks ago, I was in the yard wrestling with my old, half-broken lawnmower.

My golden retriever, Mochi, lay stretched out under our oak tree, blissfully ignoring my efforts.

While mowing, I suddenly felt a strange, itchy sensation in my ankle – something like a tickle, but not quite.

Assuming it was just a mosquito, I looked down and saw something much worse: a tiny black dot firmly attached to my skin.

Instinctively, I removed it and there it was – the undeniable lone star tick, easily recognizable by the white dot on its back.

I’m usually pretty laid-back when it comes to nature. Mosquito bites? No problem. Bee stings? Painful but bearable. But ticks? No. Ticks drive me crazy. They’re not just disgusting—they’re potentially dangerous.

This was my first encounter with a tick, and it had to be one of the worst species: the lone star tick. If you’ve encountered one, you already know the kind of panic that follows.

What makes the ticking of the Lone Star so terrifying?

Let’s pause for a moment and appreciate just how terrifying these little monsters are. Named for the white spot on the female’s back, lone star ticks aren’t your typical pests that just wait and latch on—  they actively seek out  their hosts.

That’s right. These things are killing you. Just thinking about it makes me itch again. If you spend time in wooded or grassy areas, you should be vigilant.

Don’t panic (even if I do)

I wish I could say I stayed calm when I found that tick, but that would be a lie. I panicked. However, it’s best  to stay  calm and act quickly. The longer a tick is attached, the more likely it is to transmit something nasty.

Gently remove the tick using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp it as close to the skin as possible and slowly pull it out—do not twist or jerk, as the mouth part may break off.

Then, clean the bite with soap and water or isopropyl alcohol. And  don’t  crush the tick with your fingers unless you want to get a ton of nasty pathogens on your hands (yuck).

Record the tick and observe the spot

Here’s a mistake I almost made: I threw the tick far, far away. But no—catch it! Tape it to a piece of paper or seal it in a container so your doctor can see it if necessary. Also, write down the date and where on your body the tick attached.

Monitor this area for the next few weeks. Watch for any rash, redness, fatigue, fever, or muscle aches. If anything concerning develops, don’t wait—contact your doctor immediately. And yes, I may be a nervous wreck, but that doesn’t mean this advice is wrong!

Preventing future tick infestations

If you’re going outdoors where ticks tend to hang out, be careful. Wear long sleeves, tuck your pants into your socks (a fashion faux pas, but worth it), and use repellents containing DEET, permethrin, or picaridin. Thoroughly check yourself, your children, and your pets when you get home.

To protect your garden from ticks, mow the grass close to the ground, remove fallen branches and bushes, and create a barrier – for example, gravel or wood shavings – between the lawn and wooded areas.

If they’re plentiful in your area (which they usually are), consider using pesticides in your garden. My husband and I plan to do so soon.

Final Thoughts (and a Little Sympathy)

If you ever come face-to-face with a lone star, I know exactly how terrifying you’ll be. It’s disgusting, terrifying, and incredibly painful. But take a deep breath—you can handle it  .  Know what to do, act quickly, monitor your health, and do everything you can to avoid it happening again.

Because if I can handle it—the screaming, the itching, the crying, and everything else—then you can too.