Timothy Newcomb, age 9, of South Milwaukee, Wis., for his question:

WHAT ARE WOOD TICKS?

Summer is when you'll run into the pest called a wood tick. Quite often you will find him when you are walking through the woods or camping in the forest.

The tick will attach itself to your skin. Often he will pick an arm or a leg. Great care must be taken in removing the creature. If he is pulled off forcibly, it is possible that his toothed beak will break off and remain inside the flesh. when this happens, there's a good chance a festering sore will follow.

The easiest way to get rid of a wood tick is to put a drop of kerosene, chloroform or even gasoline on the tick. Use great care. With just a bit of any of these fluids the tick will quickly loosen his hold and come off the skin easily.