How can I keep a tick alive for analysis? - briefly
Store the specimen in a sealed container with moist cotton or plaster substrate, keep temperature between 20‑25 °C, and provide regular blood meals via a live host or an artificial feeding system. Monitor humidity (80‑90 %) and replace the substrate to prevent mold, ensuring the tick remains active for examination.
How can I keep a tick alive for analysis? - in detail
Collect the specimen with fine‑tipped forceps or a soft brush, placing it directly into a ventilated container such as a small plastic vial with a mesh lid. Immediately seal the vial to prevent escape but allow air exchange.
Maintain humidity between 80 % and 95 % by adding a moist cotton ball or a damp piece of filter paper. Avoid direct contact between the tick and the moisture source; a barrier of fine mesh or paper prevents drowning while sustaining a saturated atmosphere.
Regulate temperature at 20 °C–25 °C (68 °F–77 °F). Use an incubator or a temperature‑controlled room; fluctuations beyond ±2 °C can induce stress and mortality.
Provide a blood source if the tick is a feeding stage. Options include:
- Live host (e.g., rabbit, rodent) housed in a secure enclosure; attach the tick to the host’s skin using a cloth patch.
- Artificial membrane feeding system with warmed defibrinated blood, supplemented with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to stimulate feeding.
- Microinjection of blood into the tick’s dorsal surface for short‑term sustenance.
Monitor the tick daily for activity, molting signs, and signs of desiccation. Replace the humidity source every 24 hours to prevent mold growth. If the tick shows inactivity for more than 48 hours, gently increase humidity or provide a fresh blood meal.
For long‑term storage before analysis, transfer the tick to a refrigerated environment (4 °C) while maintaining high humidity. This slows metabolism without causing death, allowing weeks of viability for molecular or morphological studies.
Document each step, including dates, humidity readings, temperature logs, and feeding events. Accurate records ensure reproducibility and facilitate interpretation of experimental results.