Ticks

[Asteria]

Hi everyone so I got some sticks from the trees around my house and brought them in to let my squirrel chew on. I then noticed not very long after I brought them in a tick was walking on me. I am concerned that there is a possibility that there could be more and they will get on her. What do you guys do to make sure sticks from the “wild” are tick free? My squirrel does let me pet her so I can always check her for tick if need be.

[CritterMom]

I live in northern New England where most of the ticks carry something really bad up to absolutely deadly, and I am VERY conscious of what comes in. I don't pick stuff up off the ground. Green, smooth branches, cut off of the tree, leaves stripped and which get scrubbed down with an abrasive pad and hosed off well. Loose, shaggy bark is a great place for ticks to hide.