Submitting a tick for testing
If you have been bit by a tick, you can find out what type of tick, and potential disease it could be carrying. Bring your tick to CCHD and we will submit it to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES). Please fill out the Tick Submission Form to bring with you to the Health District to submit your tick: Tick Submission Form (we have copies if you are unable to print).
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 testing is offered by The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) as a public service and there is no fee for tick identification and/or testing. Central Connecticut Health District does not charge for submitting ticks to CAES for testing.
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.
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 CCHD’s office at 2080 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 100, Rocky Hill, CT during a normal office hours and we will mail it out to CAES at no cost.
The form can be filled out and printed in your internet browser and is available here:
How are results communicated and how long does it take to receive a report?
Results are communicated via e-mail only. CAES will email CCHD the results and CCHD will notify you, either by phone or email (depending on the contact information you provide).
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.
Source: CT DPH Tick Submission Guidelines