i have always learned to slide a sharp thin blade ( scalpel, small SAK blade, etc. ) under the ticks butt and move the blade to the head side and stop before you reach the mouth and than raising it ( i never had to do that, though... ). But almost ever place i see/read people cover ticks with someting so they will release there heads, but since covering a tick will starf the tick from oxigion, the tick will inject nasty stuff in to you wenn they are making a run for it. atleast that what i have learned. SO why is everyone still covering ticks with stuff ? or did i just learned it the wrong way ?