What should be done with a tick's palps? - briefly
Remove the palps with fine tweezers, avoiding crushing, and discard them safely. They are unnecessary for disease testing and should not be kept for identification.
What should be done with a tick's palps? - in detail
The palps are the paired sensory structures located at the front of a tick’s mouthparts. They must be examined before removal because they can indicate the tick’s stage, species, and potential for disease transmission. First, isolate the tick on a clean surface, using tweezers or fine‑point forceps to grasp the body just behind the palps. Avoid compressing the palps themselves, as this may release saliva that contains pathogens.
Steps for proper handling:
- Grasp the tick’s scutum (the hard dorsal shield) with steady pressure.
- Pull upward in a straight, controlled motion until the body separates from the skin.
- Inspect the detached specimen; the palps should remain attached to the tick’s mouthparts and be clearly visible.
- Place the whole tick, including the palps, into a sealed container with ethanol or a labeled zip‑lock bag for later identification or disposal.
If the palps break off during extraction, collect any fragments with a disposable brush or sterile swab and add them to the same container. Retaining all parts is essential for accurate laboratory analysis, as missing structures can hinder species identification and affect risk assessment.
After removal, clean the bite site with an antiseptic solution and wash hands thoroughly. Store the specimen at room temperature if it will be examined within 24 hours; otherwise, refrigerate at 4 °C to preserve DNA integrity. Discard used tools in a biohazard container according to local regulations.