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How to Submit a Tick For Testing

 

Click Here for Tick Submission Form

Photo of a deer tick crawling on the edge of a leaf

If you have been bitten by a tick, submitting it for testing can help identify the species of tick and test whether it is carrier of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, or babesiosis. Bring your tick to the South Windsor Town Hall Annex and we will submit it to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) for you free of charge. Please fill out the Tick Submission Form to bring with you to submit your tick: Tick Submission Form (hard copies are available in-office).

Who may submit a tick?

Ticks will be accepted only from residents of Connecticut. Ticks should be submitted by residents to their municipal health departments. Tick identification and testing is free of charge through the Town of South Windsor.

Due to limited resources, we only test ticks that have fed on humans. If you submit a tick found on your pet, it will be identified to the species level and engorgement status but will not be tested.


What information should be submitted with the tick?

The CAES Tick Submission Form should be completely filled out and packaged along with your tick. Please read the entire form carefully to ensure you are providing the proper information. Please leave a note if you are submitting more than one tick with a single submission form. If you do not have the proper materials to securely mail your tick, the Town of South Windsor can provide them for you.

Preparing the tick:

  • Do not place the tick on tape.
  • Ticks should be placed in a crush-proof container, but if one is not available a sealed plastic bag will suffice.
  • Do not package the tick in glass or in other fragile containers.
  • Do not package the tick with any objects. This includes paper towels, cotton swabs, plant matter, bandages, or any other materials.
  • Do not place the tick in any solution. This includes substances like water and alcohol. All ticks should be submitted dry.
  • Bring your prepared tick to the Town Hall Annex at 1530 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, CT during our normal office hours and we will mail it to CAES at no cost.

The form can be filled out and printed in your internet browser and is available here:

Click Here for Tick Submission Form

Photo of a male deer tick on fabric

Do all ticks submitted get tested for Lyme disease?

Ixodes scapularis, also known as the blacklegged or deer tick, is the primary vector for Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis and is the only species of tick tested in CAES's lab. They identify but do not test the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), or the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) as they are not vectors for the aforementioned disease-causing agents.

How are results communicated and how long does it take to receive a report?

Once the South Windsor Health Department receives test results from CAES, we will notify you via email or phone.

Reporting time depends largely on the number of ticks received throughout the year. During high points in tick activity, processing time may be delayed. Ticks are tested on a first-come first-serve basis.

For more detailed information please visit: Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

In addition to this information, please read about the newest tick identified in CT: Longhorn Tick Press Release