At the same time no tick that I’ve ever removed from a person survived, even without testing it for anything.
replyI don’t think anyone removes a tick and sets it on its merry way.
Ticks are extremely tough to kill, compared with the myth that some people hold that they can only be drowned (you can obliterate them pretty well with a rock) I'm pretty sure many return to the wild unscathed.
replyAnd some even just pull them off and squish them a bit and then throw them down the toilet, bin, outside. Those very likely survive for a new bite.
I usually trap it between two pieces of tape and then put it in a plastic bag and keep it in the freezer for a few weeks in case someone gets sick and I might need it as a sample.
replyI have no idea if that is actually necessary, but it's easy and I think that probably kills it.