How to properly preserve a tick? - briefly
Place the specimen in a small, sealable vial containing 70–95 % ethanol and keep it at room temperature, protected from direct light. Label the vial with the collection date and location for future reference.
How to properly preserve a tick? - in detail
Preserving a tick specimen requires a method that maintains morphological integrity for identification and future analysis. The process begins with safe removal: use fine‑point tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, pull upward with steady pressure, and avoid crushing the body. After removal, place the tick on a clean, lint‑free surface to inspect for blood remnants; gently dab with a sterile cotton swab if necessary.
Choose a preservation medium based on intended use:
- 70 % ethanol – suitable for most diagnostic labs. Submerge the tick in a labeled vial, ensure complete coverage, and store at room temperature. Ethanol prevents decay while preserving external structures.
- Freezing – appropriate for molecular studies. Place the tick in a cryovial, remove excess air, seal, and freeze at –20 °C or lower. Rapid freezing minimizes DNA degradation.
- Mounting on slides – ideal for detailed morphological work. After ethanol fixation, transfer the tick to a clearing agent (e.g., lactophenol) for 10–15 minutes, then position on a microscope slide with a drop of mounting medium (e.g., Hoyer’s medium). Cover with a coverslip, allow to dry, and store in a dry, dark cabinet.
Label each container clearly with collection date, location, host species, and collector’s name. Use waterproof ink to prevent smudging. For long‑term storage, keep ethanol vials sealed and protected from light; frozen samples should be placed in a dedicated –80 °C freezer if available.
Safety considerations include wearing disposable gloves, working in a well‑ventilated area when handling ethanol, and following local regulations for biological waste disposal. If the tick is potentially infected with pathogens, decontaminate surfaces with a 10 % bleach solution after processing.
Regularly inspect stored specimens for signs of desiccation or leakage. Replace ethanol if it becomes cloudy or evaporates. Document any changes in a maintenance log to ensure the collection remains reliable for future research.