[consp]

What they thought me for first aid was: remove the tick with a proper tool, wrap it in some scotch tape and put it in something storable (back then a photo roll plastic thingey) and give it to the person affected and send them to a doctor or emergency service. That was over 20 years ago. Apperantly the "save the tick" advice is not as wide spread as I believed it to be as you were the first to mention it (my reading).

[stupidboy]

Yeah, that's proper procedure--except for the scotch tape. Our lab techs need to tediously remove ticks from adhesive every day because some authority (first-aid manuals?) is telling people to do that. It ends up in pieces after extraction which hinders us from identifying the species, life stage, and duration of engorgement. Hopefully this practice phases out with time.

[magduf]

So how else do you store the tick? I can see why they would recommend scotch tape: deer ticks are tiny, and the tape helps keep you from losing them. Don't say "put it in a film storage canister" because no one has those any more! I haven't seen one of those in decades. I'm not sure what I'd do with one honestly; I have some small Tupperware containers I could use, IF I happen to be at home when I pull the tick off.

[stupidboy]

Good point about the size. Unengorged nymph ticks are tough to spot. That's why most people don't notice them until after multiple days of feeding. The adults are much easier to catch early, and thus pose less of a threat.

For storage, a Ziplock bag works well (especially for mailing). Just make sure it's sealed air tight. A prescription pill bottle works great too because of the secure lid.

[hartleybrody]

When I was in the woods and found one on me, I took the batteries out of an extra flashlight I was carrying and kept the tick trapped in the handle.

When I got home, I transferred him to a double ziplock labelled with the date and where on the body I found him and tossed him into the freezer for a few months until I figured I was in the clear.

[hammock]

Ziploc bag?

[ceejayoz]

That's what I used. Worked perfectly.

[khuey]

Old spice jars.

[Tagbert]

Then they just smell like Grandpa :)