- Swiss testing laboratory
Tick Repellent Testing for Anti-Tick Products
Hassle-free testing experience
Need to get a product tested? No worries! To and fro logistics are on us; we collect your products, test them and, deliver them back to you.
Summary
Tick repellent test is used to evaluate the efficacy of anti-tick products for both human and animal use by measuring tick repellence and attachment behavior. The test determines how effectively treated textiles, sprays, creams, shampoos etc can prevent ticks from attaching to or moving across treated surfaces under controlled conditions. Results from testing are used to support anti-tick performance claims and product validation.
Related tests for you
Evaluating the efficacy of repellent formulations, simulating real-world environments.
Ensuring efficacy of insecticide products that are intended for indoor use
Quick understanding of the test
Tick repellent Test - Evaluating the efficacy of tick-repellent products.
Application
- Ixodes ricinus
- Rhipicephalus sanguineus
- Test for Animal Tick Repellent Products (powder, spray, spot-on, shampoo)
- Test For Human Tick Repellent Products
- Mouse Feed Test for Insecticide-Treated Materials (Animal & Human use)
- Tick Attachment Test for Treated Textiles (Animal & human use)
Benefits
- Provides reliable evaluation of tick repellency.
- Reduces risks of tick-borne diseases by validating product effectiveness.
Turnaround Time
Efficacy is interpreted as the percentage of repellence calculated over the total study duration.
Do you have a product that needs testing?
What Is Tick Repellent Testing?
Tick repellent test assesses the effectiveness of anti-tick products, which prevent tick bites and help in reducing the risk of tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease and Tick-borne Encephalitis.
This test method follows ASTM E939, the internationally recognized standard for assessing repellency of products against ticks by simulating real-world conditions.
Personal protective products, outdoor gear, and veterinary applications are some of the areas that require tick repellent tests before market release or regulatory submission. This testing provides critical data for tick bite prevention, regulatory compliance, and consumer safety.
When Is Tick Repellent Testing Required?
- During the formulation stage of new tick repellents
- Pre-screening before conducting field trials
- Market entry of human skin repellents under biocidal frameworks
- To validate claims on product labels
- After reformulation or changes in active ingredients
- To ensure continued protection against emerging tick species
Products Applicable for Tick Repellent Testing
Animal Tick Control Products
- Spot-on treatments
- Collars
- Sprays
- Powders
- Impregnated fabric & textiles
- Shampoos
- Repellent wipes
- Repellent message oil and drops
- Ticks comb
- Foaming gels.
Human-Use Tick Repellent Products
- Skin sprays and lotions
- Roll-ons and wipes
- Shampoos
Tick Species Used in Repellent Testing at MIS
Tick species are selected based on epidemiological relevance and product claims. Commonly used species include:
- Ixodes ricinus, a major vector for Lyme disease in Europe
- Rhipicephalus sanguineus, commonly associated with companion animals
Tick Repellent Test Methods
Test for Animal Tick Repellent Products (powder, spray, spot-on, shampoo)
1. Test animals selection
- Target species (e.g., dogs or cats) are selected based on the specific product label instructions.
- A minimum of 10 animals are allotted in each treatment group.
- Standardized housing is provided, ensuring animals have the freedom to sit, stand, and lie down.
2. Tick Selection and Readiness
- Pathogen-free Ixodes ricinus or Rhipicephalus sanguineus are utilized.
- Ticks are subjected to a starvation for a period of ≥6 months (Ixodes), ≥3 months (others)
- Active host-seeking behavior is verified before using it for testing.
3. Test Design & Product Application
- Local Application (e.g. neck, thorax)
- Product application – The product is applied to one side of the neck or thorax, the opposite side used as the control.
- Tick movement criteria – Tick walks into fur to skin within 3 minutes
- Tick release point – Untreated fur area ≥1 cm wide
- Leg-Based Setup
- Application method: Products (shampoo, powder, spot-on, or spray) are applied according to label instructions.
- Crossing zone – A 3 cm crossing zone is marked 5 cm above the carpal joint.
- Release point – 3 cm below crossing zone
- Tick movement criteria – Tick crosses entire 3 cm zone or stays ≥1 min
Tick exposure – Ticks are applied via forceps or brush and may be guided by a paintbrush.
4. Exposure interval
For powder, spray and spot-on – 10 ticks are exposed on Days 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20.
- Shampoo: 10 ticks are exposed on Days 0, 1, and 2.
- Observation: Each tick is monitored for 3 minutes.
5. Data & Interpretation
- Tick behavior, locomotive status, and adverse skin reactions are recorded.
- Efficacy is interpreted as the percentage of repellence calculated over the total study duration.
Test For Human Tick Repellent Products
1. Volunteer Selection
- Inclusion Criteria: Minimum of 10 volunteers, aged 18–65 (mixed genders and varying arm hairiness)
- Exclusion Criteria: Individuals with any skin conditions, allergies, or recent use of repellents, alcohol, nicotine, and fragrances.
- Pre-Test Prep: Volunteers must avoid alcohol, nicotine, and scented products for 12 hours prior to the test.
- Cleaning: Forearms are washed with fragrance-free soap and rinsed before application.
2. Tick Selection (Test Organisms)
- Species: Ixodes ricinus and/or Rhipicephalus sanguineus.
- Stage: Nymphs and/or adults that are pathogen-free.
- Starvation Period: Ixodes ricinus ≥6 months and Other species: ≥3 months
- Activity Requirement: Ticks must demonstrate active host-seeking behavior.
3. Testing Protocol
- Product Application: The test product is applied to one arm, while the other arm remains untreated to serve as a control for the same volunteer.
- Controlled Exposure: Ticks are placed at a standardized release point below a designated “crossing zone” to measure movement and repellency.
- Observation: Each tick is monitored for a set duration to determine if it successfully crosses into the treated area or is repelled.
4. Data & Results
- Exposure Schedule: Testing begins 30 minutes post-applicationThe procedure is repeated daily until the first contact with water occurs.
- Primary Endpoint: Calculation of total percentage repellency over time.
- Safety: Continuous monitoring for any adverse skin reactions throughout the study.
Mouse Feed Test for Insecticide-Treated Materials (Animal & Human use)
- Mouse feed test Requirements
Swiss albino Mouse (Mus musculus) is the heat source for the tick as an attractant. Untreated (without repellent) and treated fabric (with repellent) are compared to evaluate the number of ticks attracted towards the mouse.
Test Species: Ixodidae and Argasidae.
- Mouse feed test Procedure
- The untreated fabric (control) and treated fabric are tested.
- The mouse used as a heat source to attract the ticks is placed under the fabric.
- The 10 numbers of ticks are placed on the fabric.
- The number of ticks repelled (move away from the fabric) at each time interval are recorded.
- Repellence is evaluated by counting the number of ticks on treated versus non-treated (control).
Assessment Frequency: Number of ticks repelled at each time interval in 30 minutes. Such as 0-10 minutes, 10-20 minutes and 20-30 minutes.
Tick Attachment Test for Treated Textiles (animal & human use)
Tick attachment test is performed to check the anti-tick repellent fabric’s ability to prevent ticks from attaching to its surface.
Tick Attachment Test Procedure
- Ticks are introduced onto the treated (test) and untreated (control) fabric.
- Both the fabric samples are kept in a vertical position for a specified period to check whether ticks are leaching onto the fabric.
- Result analysis is made by comparing the reduction in ticks on treated fabric vs untreated fabric. (Fabric with good repellent action will prevent ticks from leaching on its surface)
Tick Repellent Testing vs Field Tests (ASTM E939)
Parameter | Tick Repellent Test (Laboratory) | ASTM E939 (Field Testing) |
Purpose | To evaluate tick repellency and attachment reduction under controlled laboratory conditions. | To evaluate repellent performance under natural outdoor exposure to medically important arthropods. |
Mandatory Test Organisms | Ixodes ricinus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus | Natural field populations of medically important arthropods (mosquitoes, ticks and mites) |
Scope of Products | Treated textiles, fabrics, clothing, and material-based anti-tick products. | Topical skin-applied repellent products intended for personal protection. |
Result Interpretation | Percentage reduction in tick movement or attachment on treated samples compared to untreated controls. | Complete Protection Time (CPT), defined as time to first confirmed bite or failure under field conditions. |
Why Choose Our Lab for Tick Repellent Testing
At Microbe Investigations Switzerland, we provide reliable tick repellent product testing to ensure your products deliver consistent protection. With our expertise, you can validate your product’s performance to meet regulatory requirements and build consumer confidence.
Additionally, we also provide ASTM E939 test for field testing of topical applicants intended for use against medically important arthropods, including ticks.
Request Tick repellent testing
Contact our experts to discuss your testing needs and take the next step in developing trusted tick repellent solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
DR. Martinoz Scholtz
Tick repellent testing is the laboratory evaluation of products to determine their ability to prevent ticks from contacting, crossing, attaching to, or biting treated skin, textiles, or surfaces.
This includes animal-use products such as spot-on treatments, sprays, powders, impregnated fabrics and textiles, shampoos etc as well as human-use products including skin sprays and lotions, roll-ons, wipes, and shampoos.
Commonly used species include Ixodes ricinus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus.
Laboratory testing uses controlled test conditions and bioassays to measure tick crossing, attachment, or repellency. ASTM E939 field testing evaluates repellents under real-world exposure to assess practical duration and performance.
Tick repellency results are measured by comparing the number of ticks repelled on treated fabric versus untreated control fabric. In tick attachment testing, results are expressed as the reduction in the number of ticks attaching to treated fabric compared to untreated fabric.
Tick repellent test typically takes 3-4 weeks.
Meet the best of the blend of
R&D, Efficacy Testing,
Innovation and Passionate
Experts at MIS.
Explore More
Mosquito control is crucial for
Chemically synthesized mosquito repellents have
Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes present
Mosquitoes not only cause discomfort
Mosquitoes are transmitters of a
Mosquitoes are more than just
