Infectious Disease Epidemiology Program

Vector-borne Diseases

Tick Identification

If you remove a tick from yourself or your pet and would like to have it identified, place the tick in a small vial of alcohol inside a crushproof container.  Click here Maine Medical Center Lyme Disease Research Laboratory External site disclaimer to get information about the procedures for indentifying ticks.

We also have a poster and Tick Identification Wallet Cards available:

  • Deer Tick Habitat Caution Sign (PDF*):  Illustrated poster with tick identification and tickbite prevention information to be posted in areas known to be deer tick habitat.  Jointly produced by DHHS Bureau of Health and Maine Medical Center Research Institute.

  • Tick Identification Wallet Card (PDF*):  This is the current version of the PDF used to make wallet cards produced collaboratively by DHHS Bureau of Health and by the Maine Medical Center Research Institute (2005).

  • Tick Identification Bookmark (PDF*): This is the current version of the PDF used to make a bookmark.