O'tom Tick Twister

Pulling a tick out with fingers or tweezers is the thing most people try first and the thing most likely to leave the head embedded, because squeezing the body is exactly the motion that can push infected fluid back into the bite. A hook that cradles rather than pinches is the safer shape for the job.

The O'tom Tick Twister pack contains three hooks — described as micro, small and large — made from recyclable plastic, so the right size can be matched to the tick rather than using one tool for everything from a nymph to an engorged adult. O'tom's design is meant to cradle the tick's body without compressing the abdomen, and the hook is used with a twisting motion rather than a straight pull.

• Pack of 3 hooks: micro, small and large
• Made from recyclable plastic
• Designed to cradle the tick without compressing its body
• Used with a twisting rather than pulling motion
• Can be used on people and animals
• Can be disinfected or sterilised for reuse

What we would still check. O'tom's own design claims — reduced compression, lower risk of disease transmission — are the manufacturer's, not something we have tested ourselves. If a bite looks infected, or you cannot get the whole tick out, that is a question for a vet or a doctor rather than a second attempt with the tool.

Who it's for: dog and cat owners who spend time in long grass or woodland and want a proper tick-removal tool in the house rather than reaching for tweezers.