New York State Department of Health Tick Identification Service

Tick identification services are available through the NYS Department of Health. The NYS Department of Health Tick Identification Service will tell you the species of the tick, whether it is engorged with blood and, if so, how long it may have been feeding. The Tick Identification Service will also report whether the mouthparts are present (if not, they may have remained in the skin and need to be removed, as you would a splinter). There is no charge for this service.

The NYS Tick Identification Service will not tell you whether the tick is infected with disease-causing organisms. Once you send a tick to be identified it will not be returned. If you wish to have a tick identified, place it in a small jar containing rubbing alcohol. Seal the container to prevent leakage.

Complete the Tick Identification Submittal Form.  Mail the tick in the sealed container, along with the completed Tick Identification Submittal form to:

The New York State Department of Health
Tick I.D. Service
c/o HVCC Central Receiving
80 Vandenburgh Ave
Troy, NY 12180

Tick specimens sent by courier or hand-delivered should be taken to the Hudson Valley Community College Central Receiving Department, Lapan Hall (behind McDonough Hall Sports Complex and Ice Rink). Deliveries will be accepted between the hours of 8:00am and 3:00pm, when the college is open for business. The college is closed on holidays.A map of the HVCC campus is available at http://www.hvcc.edu/campusmap/campus_map.html.