How to retrieve a dead tick? - briefly
Use fine‑point tweezers to grasp the tick near the skin, pull upward with steady, even pressure, and immediately store the specimen in a sealed vial containing ethanol for preservation.
How to retrieve a dead tick? - in detail
Recovering a tick that has stopped moving requires immediate, careful action to preserve its condition for study or identification. The process can be divided into three phases: detection, extraction, and preservation.
First, locate the tick. Examine the host’s skin, hair, and clothing under adequate lighting. Use a magnifying lens if necessary. Identify the tick’s position and note its orientation to avoid damaging its mouthparts.
Second, extract the tick without crushing it. Follow these steps:
- Prepare a pair of fine‑pointed tweezers or a specialized tick removal tool.
- Grip the tick as close to the skin surface as possible, securing the head or the front part of the body.
- Apply steady, gentle upward traction. Avoid twisting or jerking motions that could detach the mouthparts.
- Once the tick is free, place it on a clean, flat surface.
If the tick is already dead, handle it with a soft brush or a fine instrument to lift it without applying pressure that could rupture its exoskeleton.
Third, preserve the specimen for later analysis. Options include:
- Submerging the tick in 70 % ethanol in a labeled vial; ethanol prevents decomposition and maintains morphological features.
- Placing the tick in a small container with a damp cotton ball if short‑term observation is required, ensuring the environment remains humid to avoid desiccation.
- Recording the date, location, host species, and any visible characteristics before storage.
Finally, document the entire procedure. Photograph the tick from multiple angles, note any damage, and store the images alongside the physical specimen. This documentation supports accurate identification and further research.