How can you keep a tick alive? - briefly
Maintain a humid environment (≈85 % relative humidity) at 20‑25 °C and supply a blood meal or suitable artificial feeder. Keep the tick in a sealed container with moist cotton or paper to prevent desiccation.
How can you keep a tick alive? - in detail
Ticks require precise environmental control to remain viable. Temperature must stay within a narrow range, typically 20–25 °C (68–77 °F). Temperatures below 10 °C (50 °F) slow metabolism and may induce dormancy; temperatures above 30 °C (86 °F) increase mortality.
Relative humidity should be maintained at 85–95 %. Low humidity causes desiccation, while excessive moisture can promote fungal growth. Place ticks in a sealed container with a moist substrate, such as damp cotton or filter paper, and monitor humidity with a hygrometer.
Feeding intervals are critical. Adult and nymphal stages require blood meals to progress. If a host is unavailable, provide an artificial membrane feeding system with warmed blood (37 °C) supplemented with anticoagulants. Feedings should occur every 2–3 weeks for nymphs and every 4–6 weeks for adults.
Handling must minimize stress. Use fine-tipped forceps or a soft brush; avoid crushing the exoskeleton. Transfer ticks only when necessary, and keep them in darkness or low-light conditions to reduce activity that can deplete energy reserves.
For long-term storage, embed ticks in a humidified chamber at 4 °C (39 °F). This temperature slows metabolism while humidity prevents dehydration. Regularly check for mold or fungal contamination and replace the substrate as needed.
Key maintenance steps
- Set incubator to 22 °C ±2 °C.
- Maintain humidity at 90 % using a saturated salt solution.
- Provide a blood source or artificial feeding system at appropriate intervals.
- Handle with soft tools, avoiding physical damage.
- For prolonged preservation, store at 4 °C with continuous humidity control.
Adhering to these parameters ensures tick viability for research or colony maintenance.