I think I remember reading advice here at some time concerning using petroleum jelly to remove ticks. I just got this advice from the Virginia Department of Medicine.
"Tick removal using nail polish, petroleum jelly, alcohol or a hot match is not safe. These methods could cause the tick to regurgitate an infectious agent into the site of the bite."
"Grasp the tick with tweezers as close to the skin as possible and gently, but firmly, pull it straight out. Avoid any twisting or jerking motion that may break off the mough parts in the skin. Mough parts left in the wound may cause irritation or infection similar to a reaction from a splinter.
If tweezers are not available, be careful not to squeeze or rupture the ticks swollen abdomen while removing it. This may cause an infectious agent to contaminate the bite site and cause disease.
After the tick has been removed, wash hands with soap and water. Apply a tipical antiseptic to the bite site.
You can dispose of the tidk by drowning it in alcohol or flushing it down a drain or toilet. However, it may be useful to save the tick in alcohol for several weeks and have it identified by an expert in case you become ill. Knowing what kind of tick bit you might help your doctor diagnose the illness."
I think the whole thing can be found at:
http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemio...orne/index.htm
Click on downloadable materials and then on the 8.5x11 brocure.