What if You Find a Tick

Discovering a tick on your body necessitates swift action. It's crucial to remove the tick as soon as possible, as pathogens typically require 12-24 hours of attachment to be transmitted. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick firmly at the point where it's attached to the skin. Gently and steadily pull upward, ensuring you remove the entire tick, including its mouthparts. Avoid squeezing the tick's body, as this may cause it to regurgitate infected blood into your bloodstream. It's important to note that methods such as burning the tick or using alcohol or acetone can traumatize the tick, increasing the risk of disease transmission. Instead, dispose of the tick safely after removal.

If you're unsure about removing the tick yourself or feel uncomfortable doing so, seek assistance from a medical professional. They can provide guidance and ensure the tick is removed properly, reducing the risk of potential complications. Taking prompt and appropriate action when dealing with ticks is essential for minimizing the risk of disease transmission and safeguarding your health.

In New Jersey, various state and county offices offer tick identification and testing services, which can be invaluable in assessing potential health risks associated with tick bites. While these services provide valuable information to both individuals and healthcare professionals, it's essential to remember that tick testing is not a substitute for monitoring your own clinical symptoms.

Submitting ticks for identification and testing can help determine the species of tick, its developmental stage, and its level of engorgement, aiding in the assessment of the risk of Lyme disease or other tick-borne illnesses. Some offices may offer these services free of charge to residents.

If a tick is identified as a deer tick, known to carry Lyme disease, DNA testing may be available to determine whether the tick is infected with the Lyme disease organism, Borrelia burgdorferi. However, it's important to understand that a positive test result does not confirm infection. Only a healthcare professional can diagnose Lyme disease based on clinical symptoms and additional diagnostic tests. Utilizing tick identification and testing services can provide valuable insights into potential health risks associated with tick bites, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health and seek appropriate medical care when necessary.

Ticks can be tested either dead or alive. However, do not place ticks in tape; doing so makes identification and testing more difficult. It is best to use a small vial or zip-lock baggie with a cotton ball soaked in plain tap water. There may be a fee to cover the cost of testing.

Monmouth County resident - Monmouth County Mosquito Commission, 1901 Wayside Road, Tinton Falls

Ocean County - Rutgers Extension of Ocean County at 1623 Whitesville Rd, Toms River.

Middlesex County - Rutgers Extension of Middlesex County at 42 Riva Ave, Davidson’s Mill Pond Park, South Brunswick.

For tick control services in Edison, Somerset, Lakewood, Bridgewater, Brick, Toms River, Old Bridge, Middletown, Princeton Junction, Piscataway and surrounding New Jersey, Cowleys Pest Services is your resource. Contact us today.

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