Where to bring a tick for expertise? - briefly
Take the tick to a veterinary clinic, an accredited entomology laboratory, or a university extension service that offers professional identification and pathogen testing. State health departments also provide expert analysis for public‑health concerns.
Where to bring a tick for expertise? - in detail
If you have found a tick and need a reliable identification and pathogen testing, the following options are appropriate.
Veterinary clinics that offer parasitology services can examine the specimen, determine species, and run PCR or ELISA assays for common bacteria and viruses. Choose a practice with a board‑certified veterinary parasitologist or a laboratory affiliation.
Public‑health laboratories, such as state health department vector‑borne disease units, accept ticks for both species confirmation and pathogen screening. They typically provide results at no cost for residents, but may require a completed submission form and a small handling fee.
University or research institution entomology departments often run diagnostic programs for external specimens. Contact the department’s outreach coordinator; most will accept mailed ticks, provide identification, and may include testing for a limited panel of pathogens.
Commercial diagnostic companies specialize in tick analysis. They offer online ordering, prepaid shipping kits, and detailed reports that list detected microorganisms. Prices vary by test panel; verify accreditation (e.g., CLIA‑certified) before purchasing.
For immediate, non‑clinical guidance, online identification tools and citizen‑science platforms (e.g., iNaturalist, TickReport) allow you to upload photographs. These resources can suggest species, but they do not replace laboratory confirmation.
Steps to submit a tick
- Place the tick in a sealed container (e.g., a 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tube) with a damp cotton ball to maintain humidity.
- Label the container with collection date, location (coordinates or address), and host information.
- Complete the required submission form for the chosen laboratory or agency.
- Ship the specimen using a trackable service; most labs request overnight delivery to preserve DNA integrity.
- Await the report, which typically includes species identification, a list of detected pathogens, and recommended follow‑up actions.
Selecting the appropriate destination depends on your goals: clinical diagnosis, research contribution, or personal curiosity. Ensure the chosen facility is accredited, accepts the required specimen type, and provides clear result interpretation.