Mississippi State Department of Health

Entomology and Vector Control Program

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The Entomology and Vector Control Program is responsible for the prevention and management of insect-transmitted diseases in the State of Mississippi. Entomologists survey and analyze the insect population of the state and direct efforts to control disease-carrying insects and related species.

Program Activities

Identification

We perform identification of unknown insects, spiders, centipedes and other arthropod specimens for the public. We can identify specimens of insects, spiders, ticks, or mites of medical importance. MSDH does not, however, provide identification services for agricultural, urban, or garden pests. Those specimens should be sent to the MSU Cooperative Extension Service.

Identification by Photo

Send one or more photos of the insect, spider or other arthropod you would like to have identified to:

Entomology@msdh.ms.gov

Identification by Specimen

You can also deliver a specimen to our Central Office for identification. Placed the specimen in a closed, airtight container with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and deliver it in person to 570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive in Jackson. Map

Please do not deliver live specimens or send live specimens through the mail.

Tick Identification

The Mississippi State Department of Health has an active Mississippi tick surveillance program. You may send a photo or photos to us for identification of a tick found in the state.

  1. If it is attached, remove the tick first. How to safely remove a tick
  2. Take one or more photos of the tick.
  3. E-mail the photos along with details of where in Mississippi it was found, and when.
  4. E-mail address: Entomology@msdh.ms.gov

Ticks and diseases

The CDC provides information on common ticks and the diseases they can transmit to humans.

Contact

Entomology and Vector Control Program
Mississippi State Department of Health
570 East Woodrow Wilson
Jackson, MS  39216
Phone: 601-576-7122



Links referenced on this page
MSU Cooperative Extension Service    http://extension.msstate.edu/insects/insect-identification
Map    https://www.google.com/maps/place/570+E+Woodrow+Wilson+Ave,+Jackson,+MS+39216/@32.3280781,-90.1783927,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x862832e8c9ffb603:0x5ae4bbe72913cb80!8m2!3d32.3280781!4d-90.176204?hl=en
How to safely remove a tick    https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html
Ticks and diseases they can transmit (CDC)    https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/tickbornediseases/tickID.html
Ticks and Rocky Mountain spotted fever    http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/14,0,384,html ok

Find this page at http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/index.cfm

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