How to store a dead tick? - briefly
Seal the tick in an airtight vial with a small amount of silica gel and store it at 4 °C or lower to inhibit decay. Label the vial with the collection date and location for later analysis.
How to store a dead tick? - in detail
Preserving a deceased tick requires careful handling to maintain morphological features for identification and research. Use clean, disposable tools such as forceps and a scalpel. Place the specimen in a labeled, airtight container. Recommended storage media include:
- 70 % ethanol: submerge the tick completely; replace ethanol every 6 months to prevent dilution.
- 95 % ethanol: suitable for DNA extraction; ensure containers are sealed to avoid evaporation.
- 2 % potassium dichromate solution: preserves cuticular details; handle with caution due to toxicity.
- Freezing at –20 °C or –80 °C: ideal for molecular studies; wrap the tick in sterile paper before placing in a cryovial.
Label each container with collection date, geographic location, host species, and collector’s name. Store labels on waterproof paper or laminated cards to resist degradation.
For long‑term archival, transfer the specimen from ethanol to a desiccated state after initial fixation. Place the tick on a lint‑free paper towel, allow excess liquid to evaporate, then store in a sealed, silica‑gel‑filled vial. Keep the vial in a dark, temperature‑controlled environment (15–20 °C) to minimize pigment fading.
Safety considerations: wear gloves, goggles, and a lab coat when handling chemicals. Dispose of waste according to institutional hazardous‑material protocols. Ensure that all containers are clearly marked as biological specimens to prevent accidental exposure.
By following these procedures, the tick remains intact for morphological examination, serological testing, or genetic analysis, and the specimen’s integrity is preserved for future reference.