Having a tick testing kit readily accessible or knowing where to send your tick in for testing, in addition to, knowing how to properly save and prepare a tick for testing are crucial measures in proactive personal health management after a tick bite. Ticks are vectors for various diseases, such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Powassan, Bartonella, Babesiosis and many other bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections, which can have serious health implications if not treated promptly. Testing the tick that bit you can provide valuable information about the pathogens it may carry, allowing for targeted and timely medical intervention. This not only enhances the chances for a successful treatment but also minimizes the risk of developing severe complications.

To prepare a tick for testing, follow these steps:

1. Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick remover kit: Carefully remove the tick from your skin without squeezing its body. Grasp the tick as close to your skin’s surface as possible. You can find rick removal kits here.

2. Place the tick in a secure container: A small container with a tight-fitting lid, such as a pill bottle or a zipper-seal bag, is ideal. Avoid crushing the tick, as this can make testing difficult.

3. Keep the tick alive if possible or preserve for mailing: If the testing facility is nearby, try to keep the tick alive by placing a moistened piece of paper towel in the container. This can potentially improve the accuracy of the testing. If you cannot send the tick immediately for testing and are unable to keep it alive, you can preserve it in a small amount of isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol. This will kill the tick but preserve its body for testing. Ensure the container is securely sealed after adding the alcohol.

4. Label the container: Note the date, the part of your body where the tick was attached, your geographic location when bitten, and the estimated duration of attachment.

5. Send the tick for testing: Contact local health departments, veterinary offices, or search online for tick testing labs in your area to find out where you can send the tick for analysis. Follow their specific mailing instructions carefully. If mailing the tick, follow the mailing instructions provided by the testing facility. This usually includes wrapping the container in something absorbent and placing it in a padded envelope or small box to ensure it arrives intact.

This careful approach not only helps in identifying the potential risk of diseases and assists in receiving early treatment of Lyme disease and co-infections but also contributes significantly to ongoing tick-borne disease research and prevention strategies.

Below, find a list of locations and companies that accept ticks for testing.