How to ship a tick for testing in Connecticut

HARTFORD, Conn. — They might be small, but they are definitely mighty.

Ticks have become an increasing problem for people and animals in Connecticut, according to experts. With reports of exotic ticks that may pass along tick-borne diseases, it is important to the safety of the community to submit ticks for testing, according to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES).

For those who find a tick on themselves or on a pet, here's how to send it CAES to test for diseases it may be carrying.

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station accepts all ticks for identification but only tests those that have a risk of transmitting Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis to a person, according to CAES.

They do not test the American dog tick or the lone star tick, as they are not carriers for the diseases mentioned above.

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To identify a species of tick, the CDC provides a list of the different types of ticks and information on where the ticks are found and what they can possibly transmit on their website.

The Tick Testing Laboratory will send results through e-mail, according to CAES.

Ticks are active all throughout the year since they do not hibernate, but they are most active during the warmer months from April to September, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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

"The number of invasive ticks intercepted in Connecticut has increased substantially in recent years... placing new communities at risk for tick and tick-borne disease exposure," said Dr. Goudarz Molaei, Director of CAES Tick and Tick-bone Diseases Surveillance Program.

According to CAES, to prevent tick bites and reduce the risk of exposure to tick-borne diseases, people should:

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