The Pennsylvania Department of Health does not offer tick identification or tick testing. While testing ticks can provide useful information about which pathogens the tick may carry, there are some issues that should be considered.
- Positive results from a tick or ticks attached to a person does not necessarily mean that the person bitten was exposed to the pathogen. Likewise, negative results from a tick test does not mean the person was not exposed to any tickborne pathogen.
- Studies have shown that very few people with tickborne illnesses recall being bitten by a tick.
- It is possible to be bitten by a tick carrying a disease and not be infected with that disease, depending on many factors, including how long the tick was attached to you.
If you choose to have a tick tested, it is important to remember:
- Tick testing results may produce a false positive or a false negative result. Therefore, even if you receive a negative result, you should still monitor yourself for the appearance of rash, fever or other signs and symptoms of a tickborne illness. Seek the advice of a health care provider if they occur.
- If you were infected by a tick bite, signs and symptoms may occur even before the results of tick testing are available. You should not wait for tick testing results before seeking medical advice if you feel sick.
- A positive test on a tick does not necessarily mean treatment is needed or that you will get sick. A positive test indicates that the tick was infected with a pathogen, but the tick may not have passed the pathogen to you. Any positive test results should be discussed with your health care provider who will work with you to determine the best course of action based on:
- Your likelihood of an exposure to a tick-borne disease;
- When the tick bite occurred;
- The presence or absence of signs or symptoms; and
- Other factors relative to your particular situation.
- Some of the tick testing labs test for pathogens that cannot be transmitted by ticks or are not known human pathogens. Therefore, the tick may test positive for a pathogen, but there is no risk to of transmission to you. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's website lists the tick species found in Pennsylvania and the associated tickborne diseases.
- Tick testing does provide general information about risk to individuals and populations exposed to ticks in particular geographic areas. This information can indicate areas of greater concern for tickborne diseases.
Tick Identification and Testing Locations
The following organizations offer tick identification and/or testing services. Most have a fee associated with the testing service. This list may not be comprehensive and the contact and price information may change at any time. The information was up-to-date as of June 2024. Any questions people have about situations that may affect their health should be directed to their health care provider.
Tick Research Lab of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg University Innovation Center
Mailing address has changed due to building fire, please verify address on website.
570-422-7892
Cost: Free for PA residents, $50-$175/tick for non-PA residents.
Tick Check
East Stroudsburg University Innovation Center
Mailing address has changed due to building fire, please verify address on website.
1-866-713-8425
Cost: $49.99–$199.99 per order.
Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
61 North Eagleville Road, Unit 3203
Storrs, CT 06269-3203
860-486-3738
Cost: $57-$127/tick for species identification and testing.. Rush service is available for an additional $25.
ECO Laboratory
One Action Place, Suite 102
Acton, MA 01720
978-274-2943
Cost: $42-$85.
IdentifyUS LLC
320 Needham St., Suite 200
Newton, MA 02464
Cost: $100-$200/tick.
Tick Encounter
University of Rhode Island
Cost: Free tick identification only through emailed photo.
TickReport
MedZu Inc.
Attn: Tick Testing
29 Cottage St, Ste C
Amherst, MA 01002
413-545-1057
Cost: $50-$200/tick for species identification and testing.