Ticks are a type of arachnid and there are many different types that populate different parts of North America. They can typically be found living in wooded areas, brushy fields, and around people’s homes.

Most types of ticks go through four life stages: egg, six-legged larva, eight-legged nymph, and adult. After hatching from the eggs, ticks must eat blood from a host at every stage in order to survive.

Ticks find their hosts by detecting animals´ breath and body odors, or by sensing body heat, moisture, and vibrations. Some species can even recognize a shadow. When a host comes along and brushes up against the tick it will climb onto the host.

Some ticks carry pathogens that can cause human disease. Perhaps the most well known of these is Lyme disease, but there are numerous other illnesses related to ticks.

EMSL Analytical offers testing services to identify ticks with pathogens. These services are available to the public, health professionals, government regulators, and industry. Years of experience and utilizing advanced analytical techniques have made EMSL one of the world’s leading tick pathogen testing providers. This allows EMSL to provide customers with rapid results based on proven scientific techniques.