Departments » Department Directory (A-I) » Health » Vectors

Ticks

Information on Submitting Ticks

Who may submit a tick?

Glastonbury residents may submit ticks to the Glastonbury Health Department located on the 3rd floor of the Town Hall at 2155 Main Street. The Health Department will then submit ticks to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station with a request for identification and/or testing for the causative agents for Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. 

Due to limited resources, the lab only tests ticks that have fed on humans. Ticks that were attached but are unengorged will not be tested.

How much do you charge to test a tick?

Tick testing is offered by The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station as a public service and there is no fee for tick identification and/or testing.  

What information should be submitted with the tick?

The attached CAES Tick Submission Form should be completely filled out and brought to the Health Department, located at Town Hall (2155 Main St), 3rd floor, along with your tick. Please read the entire form carefully to ensure you are providing the proper information.

How should ticks be prepared for sending?

  • Do not place the tick on tape.
  • Ticks should be placed in a well-sealed plastic bag.
  • 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.

Do all ticks submitted get tested for Lyme disease?

The lab accepts all ticks for identification but only tests those who have a risk of transmitting the causative agents of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis to a human host.  Ixodes scapularis, also known as the blacklegged or deer tick, is the primary vector for these pathogens and is the only species of tick tested in our lab. We 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.  Due to limited resources, ticks are not currently tested for Powassan virus.

Larval ticks of all species are not tested as they have not had the opportunity to become infected with any pathogens. Ticks need to feed for nearly 40 hours to transmit the causative organisms of Lyme disease to humans, though this may vary for anaplasmosis and babesiosis. Ticks without blood in their midguts have not been attached long enough to pose a risk of infection. Male ticks are not tested as they rarely and only briefly engage in blood-feeding and have not been documented to transmit pathogens.

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

Results are communicated via e-mail from Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Please wait for communication from the lab for results. The Health Department will follow up with you to ensure you have received the laboratory results. 

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-served basis.