I use a tick key. Its a flat metal "key" with a tear drop shaped opening. You put the key over the tick through the wide end of the opening, butt side towards the pointy end of the opening. You move the key towards the tick's head until the whole tick is on the key and the head is wedged in the pointy end of the opening and then just lift it out. It works great. It's kind of the same principal as the spoon described above.