Where to send a tick for analysis nearby? - briefly
Contact your regional public health department, a veterinary clinic, or a university entomology laboratory, as they commonly accept ticks for testing. Many counties also have designated pest‑control agencies that provide specimen analysis services.
Where to send a tick for analysis nearby? - in detail
If you have found a tick and need laboratory identification or pathogen testing, the nearest facilities typically include public‑health laboratories, university‑affiliated research centers, veterinary diagnostic clinics, and commercial medical‑testing companies.
Public‑health labs run by state or county health departments accept tick specimens for species confirmation and for testing common agents such as Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Babesia spp. Contact the local health department to obtain a submission form, instructions for packaging, and any applicable fees. Turnaround time ranges from 3 days for basic identification to 2 weeks for comprehensive pathogen panels.
University or college veterinary schools often operate diagnostic services that process arthropod samples. Locate the nearest veterinary college, request the tick‑submission protocol, and arrange either drop‑off or courier delivery. These centers usually provide detailed reports, including DNA sequencing results when requested.
Commercial diagnostic providers, such as Labcorp, Quest Diagnostics, or specialty companies like TickCheck, accept mailed specimens. Use a rigid container with a moist cotton pad, seal in a bio‑hazard bag, and ship via overnight courier with a prepaid label supplied by the provider. Prices are listed on the company website; most tests cost between $50 and $150, with results delivered electronically within 5–10 business days.
Veterinary clinics with in‑house laboratories can also process ticks for owners of pets. Call ahead to confirm that the clinic offers tick analysis, ask about sample handling, and schedule an appointment for drop‑off. Results are typically available within a week.
Steps to prepare and submit a tick
- Place the tick in a small, sealable vial containing 70 % ethanol or a damp cotton ball; avoid freezing.
- Label the vial with collection date, location (address or GPS coordinates), and host (human, dog, cat, etc.).
- Complete the required submission form, providing patient information and consent for testing.
- Ship or deliver the specimen according to the laboratory’s guidelines; retain a copy of the tracking number for reference.
By contacting the appropriate local health authority, university veterinary service, or accredited commercial lab, you can ensure rapid and accurate analysis of the tick and any associated pathogens.