Where can you submit a tick for examination? - briefly
You can send a tick to your regional public‑health laboratory or a certified veterinary diagnostic service. Both institutions provide formal examination and identification.
Where can you submit a tick for examination? - in detail
Ticks collected for diagnostic or research purposes can be processed at several types of facilities. Veterinary clinics with parasitology capabilities accept live or frozen specimens and provide identification, pathogen screening, and advice on control measures. University or government entomology laboratories, such as state agricultural extension services or public health departments, receive ticks for species confirmation and testing for bacteria, viruses, or protozoa. Commercial diagnostic companies specialize in molecular assays and serology, offering mail‑in kits that include a pre‑addressed container and detailed submission instructions. Wildlife rehabilitation centers and natural history museums also maintain collections for scientific study and may forward specimens to accredited laboratories.
Typical submission routes include:
- Direct drop‑off at a veterinary practice that offers tick analysis.
- Postal delivery to a university entomology department using a refrigerated package or dry ice for live specimens.
- Online ordering of a testing kit from a commercial provider, followed by shipment to the company’s processing center.
- Coordination with a public health agency, which may arrange pickup or provide a designated drop‑off point for ticks collected during disease surveillance.
When preparing a tick for examination, follow these guidelines: preserve the specimen in 70 % ethanol for morphological work, keep it frozen at –20 °C for molecular testing, label with collection date, location, host species, and submit any relevant clinical information. Accurate documentation and proper preservation increase the likelihood of reliable identification and pathogen detection.