We have had a tick problem for the past 4 years. My vet sold me this thing and it works very well:
Amazon.com: Contech Tick Twister Pro: Pet Supplies No sense in putting things on the skin and messing up their fur. All you have to do is slide this over the nasty thing rotate it about a half turn and pull. It gets the entire head out without a fuss. Before I got this I had tried various home remedy type things and always made a mess of it. This makes a good clean removal without damage to the surrounding tissue. Although Gracie has only had two ticks my cats seem to love to wander where ever the ticks are the thickest. I have to check them before I let them inside. I check Gracie after we go for walks or if she has been in the yard at all.