How to give injections for ticks? - briefly
Use a fine‑gauge needle with the correct dose, insert it laterally into the tick’s opisthosoma, and administer the injection slowly to prevent rupture. Dispose of the needle safely and observe the tick for any adverse reaction.
How to give injections for ticks? - in detail
Administering injections to ticks requires precise preparation, sterile technique, and careful handling of both the arthropod and the injector. Begin by selecting a suitable injection medium, such as a micro‑volume syringe (10–30 µL capacity) equipped with a fine‑gauge needle (30–34 G). Load the syringe with the exact dose of the intended substance, ensuring that the volume matches the tick’s size and the pharmacological guidelines for the compound.
Prepare a clean work surface and disinfect it with 70 % ethanol. Place a single tick on a chilled, non‑adhesive platform (e.g., a chilled glass slide) to reduce movement. Use a stereomicroscope at 10–40× magnification to visualize the injection site, typically the ventral abdomen near the posterior spiracle where the cuticle is thin.
The injection steps are as follows:
- Stabilize the tick – gently hold the dorsal side with fine forceps, avoiding compression of the abdomen.
- Align the needle – position the needle tip at a shallow angle (15–20°) to the cuticle to prevent puncturing internal organs.
- Penetrate the cuticle – insert the needle just enough to breach the exoskeleton, confirmed by a slight resistance drop.
- Deliver the dose – depress the plunger smoothly; the entire volume should enter within 1–2 seconds to avoid back‑flow.
- Withdraw the needle – pull the needle straight out, then apply a minute amount of sterile oil to the puncture site to seal it.
After injection, transfer the tick to a humidified containment chamber (relative humidity 80–90 %) at 25 °C. Monitor for at least 30 minutes to ensure recovery and to detect any adverse reactions, such as excessive hemolysis or immobilization. Record the time, dose, and any observable effects for later analysis.
Maintain strict aseptic conditions throughout: replace needles after each tick, discard used syringes in a biohazard container, and disinfect the work area after the procedure. Proper documentation and adherence to these steps minimize variability and maximize the reliability of experimental outcomes.