" Quite Simply, I'd personally say: "I need to remove that tick which is been biting me all day long." I would not say: "I should be free from that tick." And that is why I might use "rid of" with a cold, rather then "free" (it does not matter https://governmentgrantinsulation.wordpress.com/2024/09/13/what-you-must-know-before-applying-for-eco-grants/