Van lifers are at high risk of tick bites — we camp in long grass, walk through bracken, and spend time outdoors. Here is the essential guide to tick removal.
Verdict
Buy an O'Tom Tick Twister (£6). Keep it in your van. Check for ticks after every walk. Remove correctly within 24 hours. That is the complete tick safety plan for UK van life.
Why It Matters
Ticks in the UK carry Lyme disease. The UK Health Security Agency reports 1,000-2,000 confirmed cases per year — the real number is probably 3,000-5,000. A tick must be attached for 24-48 hours to transmit Lyme. Correct removal within 24 hours virtually eliminates the risk.
The Best Tick Tools
| Tool | Type | Price | Ease of Use | Portability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O'Tom Tick Twister | Plastic hook | £6 for 2 | Best | Tiny, keyring-sized |
| Tick Nipper | Curved tweezers | £8 | Good | Credit card size |
| Trix Tick Remover | Plastic claw | £5 | Good | Small |
| UniTweezers Pointed | Precision tweezers | £10 | OK | Medium |
| Standard tweezers | Household | £2 | Poor | Any |
Recommended: O'Tom Tick Twister
This is the best tool. It is a small plastic hook with a slit. You slide the slit between the skin and the tick, twist gently, and the tick releases. It works because it removes the tick's mouthparts intact — the main failure mode of standard tweezers. Buy a 2-pack. Keep one in the van glovebox and one in your hiking first aid kit.
How to Remove a Tick (O'Tom Method)
- Choose the correct size slot (small for nymph ticks, large for adult ticks)
- Slide the slot between the skin and the tick, as close to the skin as possible
- Rotate the tool gently (2-3 rotations, anti-clockwise)
- The tick releases — do not pull, it untwists itself
- Clean the bite area with antiseptic or soap and water
- Save the tick in a sealed bag (useful for identification if you develop symptoms)
After Removal
- Monitor the bite site: A red bullseye rash (erythema migrans) appears in 70-80% of Lyme cases. It develops 3-30 days after the bite.
- Symptoms to watch for: Flu-like symptoms, fatigue, joint pain, fever, headache.
- See a GP: If you develop a rash or flu symptoms within 30 days of a tick bite, tell them you had a tick bite. Lyme is treatable with antibiotics if caught early.
- NHS antibiotic access: If you are on the road, use 111 or a pharmacy. They can prescribe doxycycline for Lyme.
Prevention
- Tuck trousers into socks (not stylish, but effective)
- Use permethrin spray on clothing (£15, treat lasts 6 weeks)
- Stick to the centre of paths (ticks sit on grass edges)
- Check yourself after every walk — ticks love armpits, groin, behind knees, and the nape of the neck
- Check your dog too (they bring ticks into the van)
Tick Season
Ticks are active March to November in the UK. Peak season is May-July. They are dormant in winter (below 7°C). Scottish Highlands, Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Exmoor, and the New Forest have the highest tick populations.
