New York State Department of Health Tick Identification Service

Tick identification services are available through the NYS Department of Health and some county health departments. 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:

Specimens being mailed via United State Postal Service will need to be sent to:

Tick Identification Service
ATTN: Melissa Prusinski C-461
Bureau of Communicable Disease Control
Wadsworth Center Biggs Laboratory
New York State Department of Health
PO Box 509
Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12201 - 0509

Specimens being delivered in person or by courier need to be taken to:

Tick Identification Service
ATTN: Melissa Prusinski
David Axelrod Institute
Wadsworth Center
120 New Scotland Avenue
Albany, New York 12208

Deliveries will be accepted weekdays between the hours of 8am and 4pm. The Wadsworth Center is closed on legal holidays.

For more information on tick-borne diseases, contact your county health department.