Insect, Spider, and Tick Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions regarding insects, spiders, and ticks..

Where can I get this insect, spider, tick, or other arthropod identified?

Can I email a photo?

How long does it take?

Where can I get my tick tested for Lyme disease or other diseases?

I know I've been bitten by a deer tick/black legged tick. What should I do?

How do I properly remove a tick to minimize the chance of disease transmission?

How can I best protect myself against ticks and acquiring Lyme disease?

Where can I get this insect, spider, tick, or other arthropod identified?

Information for submitting specimens for New Hampshire residents only:

• Insects, spiders, and other athropods
• Ticks

Can I email a photo?

Some insect identifications can be made from photos if the photos are clear enough. To submit photos via email, please use one of the email addresses for Plant Industry.

How long does it take?

As we are often out of the office working in the field, identifications can sometimes take a week or more. If you need an identification done asap, you can contact us and leave a message. We will identify the specimen as soon as we can.

Where can I get my tick tested for Lyme disease or other diseases?

We do not test ticks for diseases. However, we provide a few options for you on our Tick identification page.

I know I've been bitten by a deer tick/black legged tick. What should I do?

Please contact your personal physician for advisement as to how you should proceed. There are many variables to take into consideration, and your doctor would be in the best position to advise a course of action if necessary.

How do I properly remove a tick to minimize the chance of disease transmission?

Grab the tick by the head region using a specially made tick removal tool or a pair of tweezers/forceps, and very gently and slowly lift the tick from your skin. Please do not grab or squeeze the tick's gut region, place a foreign substance (butter, Vaseline, etc.) on it, or try to heat the tick with flame, because doing so may cause the tick to pass on to you any disease agents it may be carrying before it is removed.

How can I best protect myself against ticks and acquiring Lyme disease?

Avoid tall grass or brushy areas, use a tick repellent, wear light colored clothing, tuck in your pant legs and shirt, and when in tick infested areas, check yourself for ticks every day during the tick season. It usually takes more than a day of feeding for the tick to transmit the Lyme disease pathogen, so the earlier the tick is removed, the lower your chances of acquiring the disease. Also keep in mind that ticks can be active early in the spring, late in the fall, and even during warm periods in the winter when there is no snow cover. For more information on protecting yourself and your property, please read the UNH Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet: Biology and Management of Ticks in New Hampshire and the Connecticut Agricultural Experimental Station Tick Management Handbook.