I recently moved to the prairies of Saskatchewan (Canada). We have loads of ticks here. Last summer I was forever pulling them off dog and I. The alcohol does work well for getting them to let go. I took a tissue soaked in alcohol, dabbed it on the little beggar and pulling him off was supper easy. We were told to be carful not to pull him off and leave the head inside. I also have Advantix but by the time I got it the tick season was over. I think by the end of this summer I will be an expert on ticks.