How to retrieve a tick in field conditions? - briefly
Use fine‑point tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure; avoid twisting or crushing the body. After removal, clean the bite area with antiseptic and store the specimen in a sealed container for identification if needed.
How to retrieve a tick in field conditions? - in detail
Collecting a tick in an outdoor setting requires preparation, correct technique, and proper preservation to ensure reliable results for research or health monitoring.
First, assemble the necessary tools. A pair of fine‑point tweezers or forceps, disposable gloves, a sterile container (e.g., a screw‑cap tube or a zip‑lock bag), a labeling system (paper or barcode), and a field notebook are essential. If identification will be performed later, include a magnifying lens or a portable microscope.
When a tick is encountered on a host (human or animal) or in vegetation, follow these steps:
- Secure the area – put on gloves to prevent accidental attachment and to protect the collector from pathogens.
- Isolate the tick – if on a host, gently part the hair or fur around the organism. For questing ticks, use a white cloth or tick drag to bring the tick into view.
- Grasp the tick – position the tweezers as close to the skin as possible, holding the mouthparts without crushing the body.
- Apply steady upward pressure – pull straight upward with constant force; avoid twisting or jerking, which can leave mouthparts embedded.
- Inspect the bite site – ensure no remnants remain; if fragments are visible, remove them with a sterile needle.
- Transfer the specimen – place the tick immediately into the sterile container. If multiple specimens are collected, keep them separate.
- Label the sample – record date, time, GPS coordinates, host species (if applicable), and collector’s name on the container or accompanying label.
- Document conditions – note weather, habitat type, and any observed behavior in the field notebook.
Preservation depends on downstream analysis. For morphological study, store the tick in 70 % ethanol. For molecular work, use 95–100 % ethanol or a nucleic‑acid‑preserving solution and keep the sample cool, ideally in a portable cooler with ice packs.
Finally, decontaminate equipment. Disinfect tweezers with 70 % ethanol after each use, discard gloves, and wash hands thoroughly. Proper disposal of waste prevents accidental spread of tick‑borne pathogens.
Following this protocol maximizes the likelihood of retrieving intact specimens while minimizing risk to both the collector and the host.