Where can a tick be submitted for analysis around the clock? - briefly
You can submit a tick to your state or provincial health department’s vector‑borne disease laboratory, which accepts specimens 24 hours a day through a courier or drop‑box service. The U.S. CDC’s Tick‑Testing Program also provides round‑the‑clock mailing instructions.
Where can a tick be submitted for analysis around the clock? - in detail
Ticks collected for laboratory examination can be processed at any time through several nationwide and commercial services that operate 24 hours a day.
Public health laboratories in many states maintain a dedicated hotline and online portal that accept specimens around the clock. Submissions are typically routed to a regional reference center where trained entomologists identify species, test for pathogens, and provide a written report. Examples include:
- State Department of Health vector‑borne disease units (e.g., California Department of Public Health, Texas Department of State Health Services).
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Arbovirus Diagnostic Laboratory, reachable via an online submission system that remains open 24 / 7.
- University‑affiliated entomology labs that offer “drop‑box” mailing options with prepaid envelopes; many accept packages at any hour through automated parcel lockers (e.g., University of Massachusetts Amherst Vector Biology Lab).
Commercial diagnostic companies also provide nonstop intake. Their websites feature electronic order forms that generate a shipping label instantly, allowing the specimen to be dispatched via overnight courier at any hour. Notable providers:
- TickCheck Labs – 24‑hour online ordering, same‑day receipt in most regions.
- Quest Diagnostics – Online portal with 24 / 7 sample acceptance; results delivered through the patient portal.
- Labcorp – Round‑the‑clock submission portal, integrated with a network of regional collection sites.
For individuals without access to institutional services, national mail‑in programs accept ticks via standard postal services. The CDC’s “Tick Specimen Submission” program issues a free shipping kit upon request; the kit can be mailed any day, and the laboratory processes the sample upon arrival regardless of the time of receipt.
In summary, tick analysis can be arranged continuously through state health department portals, CDC reference labs, university vector units, and private diagnostic firms that maintain 24‑hour online ordering and automated shipping solutions. Each option provides clear instructions for packaging, labeling, and data entry, ensuring rapid and reliable identification and pathogen testing.