Table 2
Author, date and countryPatient groupStudy type (level of evidence)OutcomesKey resultsStudy weaknesses
Needham GR, 1985, USA29 American dog ticks and 22 lone star ticks attached to a female Dorset sheepExperimentalEase of removal and retained mouthparts. Testing with petroleum jelly, nail polish, 70% isopropyl alcohol and hot match (passive removal) and clockwise pull or straight pull with quick or steady even pressure (mechanical)Failure of removal with passive methods. Removal with mechanical method steady even pressure most likely to give intact removalStatistical significance not assessed
De Boer R and van den Bogaard AE, 1993, NetherlandsIxodes Ricinus attached to the skin of pigs and sheepExperimentalEase of removal, retained mouthparts. Testing with gasoline, nail polish and methylated spirit or by straight pull or rotation around axisFailure of removal by chemical methods within 30 minutes. Straight pull less likely to leave mouthparts than rotation (0.01<p<0.02)