I put the tip of my index forefinger on the tick and began a rigorous circular motion for about 15 seconds, then reversed the direction for another 15 seconds. When I stopped to check the results, the tick was gone! It had backed out of it’s attachment area and dropped off. I was delighted to see that this method actually worked. I quickly searched the mat below to find the tick, and there it was! I picked it up to examine it to see if all of it’s parts were intact, and it began to crawl up my finger showing that It’s head had not been detached or left behind. It dawned on me that others would like to learn this method too so I grabbed my camera to capture the moment to illustrate this article.

What could be easier than using no tools or chemicals? If you, your friend or a pet is plagued with a tick, give this method a try. I hope that it will work as well for you as it did for me.

Category – Friction This method uses only two pieces – the plow stick and plow board (hearth board). Shown here is HAU wood from Hawaii, which is a member of the hibiscus family. The board is prepared with a slight groove that is about 6″ long. The stick is sharpened to a narrow but thick chisel point, and is rubbed along the groove, slowly at first but gradually faster while adding more pressure. Eventually, this action creates dark brown char at the end of the groove which, as it collects into a small mound, builds up heat to a point where a live coal is created.

Catagory – Friction The bow and drill method consists of 6 parts: socket, spindle, bow, thong, fireboard, and spark tray. There is a method called the 20-20-20 method which goes like this: The first 20 strokes are slow and steady, just to heat things up; the second 20 strokes increases speed and pressure… you should start to see smoke; the next 20 strokes add more speed and pressure to create the live coal. When you see smoke, keep spinning and gently blow on it. If it just goes away, it’s too soon to stop. If you blow and the smoke resists your breath, it is ready to remove the spindle, then gently blow to increase the ember size for transfer to tinder.

Catagory – Friction The fire pump is an assembly of a spindle, thong, cross piece handle, and flywheel. This tool is used with a fire board and spark tray. The middle of the thong is attached to the top of the spindle, and the ends are tied to the cross piece ends. To begin using the fire pump, one hand holds the cross piece horizontally, while the other hand grasps the spindle and winds the thong for several turns. Then press down on the cross piece which causes the spindle and flywheel to begin spinning. You will observe the cross piece handle rise and fall each time the spindle spins and counter spins, so keep pumping the handle to generate friction between the spindle and fire board.can be reduced by occasionally alternating the spindle angle slightly on the hearthboard socket.

Catagory – Friction The hand drill method uses a long spindle, hearthboard, and spark tray. Beginners will find it easier to attain success by using a thong fastened (mid thong) at the top, with a loop at each end to insert each thumb. This allows you to maintain constant downward pressure while spinning your hands at one level of the spindle. The time to create a live coal can be reduced by occasionally alternating the spindle angle slightly on the hearthboard socket.