Where to keep a tick? - briefly
Keep the tick in a small, airtight vial with a breathable lid and store it in a refrigerator at approximately 4 °C. Label the vial with the collection date and location for future reference.
Where to keep a tick? - in detail
Storing a tick specimen requires control of temperature, humidity, and containment to preserve morphological integrity and prevent pathogen escape.
For immediate preservation after collection, place the arthropod in a ventilated, sealable tube containing a damp cotton plug. Keep the tube at 4 °C for up to 48 hours; this slows metabolic activity without causing desiccation.
For longer‑term archiving, transfer the tick into one of the following media:
- 70 % ethanol, sealed in a screw‑cap vial; store at 4–8 °C. Ethanol prevents decay and maintains DNA quality for molecular analysis.
- 95–100 % ethanol, sealed in a cryovial; store at –20 °C or lower for optimal nucleic‑acid preservation.
- RNAlater™ solution, sealed in a polypropylene tube; store at 4 °C for short periods, then move to –80 °C for extended storage.
If the tick is to be kept alive for behavioral studies, use a humidified chamber (relative humidity 80–90 %) with a temperature of 22–25 °C. Provide a moist substrate such as plaster of Paris or damp leaf litter, and change the moisture source daily to prevent fungal growth.
Label each container with collection date, locality, host species, and identifier code. Use waterproof, chemical‑resistant labels to avoid loss of information during storage.
When handling containers, work in a biosafety cabinet or under a dissecting microscope with gloves and protective eyewear. Dispose of waste according to institutional biohazard protocols.
By following these guidelines, the tick remains viable for morphological, serological, or molecular investigations while minimizing health risks and sample degradation.