Biting Insect and Tick Ecology Lab
Biting Insect and Tick Ecology Lab

Contact Information

S207J AG Science Center North 1100 South Limestone Street Lexington, KY 40546

Ticks

Ticks

Tick Submission

Kentucky Tick Submissions for Identification

This is for identification of ticks collected in Kentucky. Identification is provided through the University of Kentucky Extension BITE Lab in the Entomology Department. This information is provided free to Kentuckians and is used to help improve surveillance and develop Extension educational resources on ticks and tick-bite prevention in Kentucky.  These programs are NOT diagnostic services. If you are concerned about your or your animals' health, please talk with your physician or veterinarian.

Tick Submission Process:

1. Fill out this form: tinyurl.com/KY-tick-ID

**Ticks cannot be properly processed without information on where they came from and who to contact with your identification results!

2. Place the tick in a sealed small bottle or vial (like a pill bottle with identifying information removed).

3. Either freeze for at least 24 hours OR add small amount of ethanol/isopropyl alcohol (available at pharmacies and grocery stores) to container and after at least 1 hour, pour off all excess liquid or move to clean container. 

**Alcohol cannot be mailed, it's important to pour out excess**

Do not mail live ticks!

4. Put container with ticks in envelope or small box and mail to this address:

Tiffin BITE Lab

1100 S Limestone

S-225 Ag Science Center N

Lexington, KY 40546

Thank you for improving Kentucky's tick surveillance and educational programs! 

If you want your ticks tested for human pathogens that cause Ehrlichiosis, Lyme Disease, or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in people - you can submit ticks through the UK Human Health Tick Surveillance Project.  These programs are NOT diagnostic services. If you are concerned about your or your animals' health, please talk with your physician or veterinarian.

Tick Bite Prevention

Asian longhorned tick

Entomology Fact Sheets - ENTFacts

Ticks and Disease in Kentucky by Anna Pasturnak, Jonathan Larson, and Monica Cipriani

Lone Star Tick in Kentucky by Lee Townsend

 

 

Video Resources

Link to FTWT episode 262

 

Reducing risk from tick and mosquito bites while outdoors - From the Woods Today Ep. 262 (Hannah Tiffin)

YouTube video and podcast episode available.

 

Link to FTWT episode 214

Control tips for ticks and mosquitoes - From the Woods Today Ep. 214 (Hannah Tiffin)

YouTube video and podcast episode available.

 

 

Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS) Resources

Link to AGS webinar

Statewide Extension Webinar

Living with Alpha-gal Syndrome - Lifestyle management for AGS and tick bite prevention tips to reduce likelihood of developing AGS.

Developed by UK Dietetics and Human Nutrition Department, Entomology Department, and UK Cooperative Extension.

 

 

Fact Sheets

Food Allergens: Alpha-gal by Heather Norman-Burgdolf and Anna Cason, Dietetics and Human Nutrition

Life with Alpha-gal - Red Meat Allergy ENTFact-656 by Heather Norman-Burgdolf and Jonathan Larson

Ticks & Livestock

Cattle and Asian Longhorned Tick

Link to YouTube video with information on the Asian longhorned tick

 

General Information

Asian longhorned tick, Warren County Farm and Home Show. Apr 2025.

Invasive tick species that can bite a wide variety of animals (including people), but can cause serious health conditions and even death in cattle.

 

Link to YouTube video with information on the Asian longhorned tick affecting cattle

 

Cattle-Specific Information

Prevent Asian longhorned tick in cattle, Warren County Farm and Home Show. Apr 2025.

 

 

 

Contact Information

S207J AG Science Center North 1100 South Limestone Street Lexington, KY 40546