Tick Surveillance Scheme (report(send a tick)tick sample)

About the tick surveillance scheme

The Tick Surveillance Scheme was set up in 2005 to map and monitor ticks across the UK. All records are available on the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) gateway for research and public use.

Data collected from the TSS informs UKHSA’s assessments of the public health impact of ticks. Tick samples sent to UKHSA provide valuable information on the distribution of tick species present across the UK, their seasonal activity and their host associations. This information helps to highlight which tick species are important to human and animal health and helps UKHSA to detect the presence of species that are not normally resident in the UK.

The main aims of the scheme are to:

• promote the surveillance of ticks in the UK
• monitor tick distribution and seasonality on a nationwide scale
• determine the diversity of ticks infesting humans and animals
• detect non-native (imported) or rare UK tick species

By sending in a tick, you are contributing to the formation of distribution maps see example for Ixodes ricinus which enables us to achieve the points above.

You are also contributing to our understanding of how tick numbers might be changing over time, and the seasonality of tick exposure in the UK. You can find out more about this on the UKHSA dashboard which presents data from the Tick Surveillance Scheme.

We do not test your tick(s) for pathogens. See the Note section below for further information.

Figure 1: Map outlining where ticks (Ixodes ricinus) are reported across England, Scotland and Wales

ReportSend a tick sample

UKHSA relies upon members of the public, health practitioners, veterinary practitioners, wildlife groups and others to submitsend tickstick samples to the scheme.

If you or a member of your family have been bitten by a tick, or you have removed a tick from an animal (pet or wildlife), you can reportsubmit a tick sample through our form and send ticks to us in the post.

Please use the guidance below before filling out the form.

Information required

Each tick must be accompanied by a recording form and must include the date and location of collection and the host from which the tick was removed. If you provide us with your email address, we will notify you of the results of the identification.

Different hosts

If ticks are collected from different hosts or locations, place them in separate containers with a recording form for each container.

Same hosts

Ticks from the same host on the same day may be sent in one container.

Postage

If submitting multiple records from same host, group containers in envelopes to save postage, ensuring each sample has its own recording form. Please see the following section ‘sending ticks to us’ for more information.

Preventing deterioration

To prevent deterioration of the ticks, place them in a fridge or cool, dark place and post as soon as possible.

Note:

UKHSA does not routinely test ticks submitted through our TSS for pathogens (such as the bacteria that cause Lyme disease). Some sources of alternative health advice recommend testing ticks after removal for evidence of Borrelia bacteria and commercial companies are starting to offer tick-testing services. The results of such tests should not be used to inform diagnosis or treatment following a tick bite. A positive result does not mean that the infected tick will have passed on the bacteria – there are many factors that determine whether Lyme disease results from a bite from an infected tick. A negative result may not be technically valid and could give false assurance, as it does not exclude the possibility that another tick elsewhere on the body has been missed.

Find out more about how tick and mosquito data is stored and used in the future.

Sending ticks to us

Please carefully package ticks so that the package does not become damaged during transit. We accept both live and dead ticks for identification. Live ticks must be sent first class.

When posting ticks, please make sure that you:

1. use a small plastic container that is securely fastened - alternatively, a screw-top plastic vial can be supplied on request - email: tick@ukhsa.gov.uk

2. post the container in a padded envelope with a visible return address

3. mark the package as ‘URGENT - LIVING CREATURES - HANDLE WITH CARE’ (not necessary for dead ticks)

4. include a completed recording form

5. send to:

UKHSA aims to provide identification of ticks via email within 2 weeks of receipt (during exceptionally busy times, this may be longer).

Postage costs

Depending on how many ticks you are sending or the size of the tubes you are sending them in, the cost of postage may vary. It should cost approximately £1.50£3.05 to £3.50£4.19 to send a tick into the TSS when using the correct shipping materials and method.

Below are some suggested shipping methods, using Royal Mail:Mail 1st class:

• large letter (maximum thickness 2.5cm, max 100g) - our usual vials in a small padded envelope will fit this category
• small parcel (maximum thickness 16cm) - larger containers, for example, universal tubes used by vets, will need to go in this category

See Post Office price finder for up-to-date postage costs.

It is not necessary to post specimens using ‘signed for’ or ‘special delivery’.