" Basically, I would say: "I would like to eliminate that tick that's been biting me all day long." I would not say: "I must be free from that tick." And that's why I might use "rid of" with a cold, as an alternative to "free" (it does not matter https://energysavinggrant.blogspot.com/2024/09/why-should-you-apply-for-free-boiler.html