Ticks Sought for Citizen Scientist Study

North Dakota residents have a chance to contribute to local research by submitting ticks you find crawling on yourself or your pets as part of a citizen scientist study.

Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, part of Marshfield Clinic region of Sanford Health, is expanding its Tick Inventory via Citizen Science (TICS) from Wisconsin to North Dakota. Launched in 2024, TICS is an effort to identify ticks to assess risk of encountering a tickborne disease and to learn more about who is being exposed and diagnosed with tickborne diseases.

Originally launched in 2024 in Wisconsin and now in its second year in Minnesota, TICS now expands to the Fargo area. Citizens have submitted more than 15,000 ticks for study. Ticks in the Midwest are typically active until temperatures drop below freezing in late fall.

"Citizen-submitted ticks are one of the most valuable tools we have for tracking tick populations and the diseases they carry," said Alexandra Linz, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute associate research scientist. "Every tick sent in for research helps scientists build a more accurate picture of public health risks and strengthens our ability to protect communities."

The study's first significant finding was published in a pre-print paper in May that showed more than half of deer ticks tested by researchers were found to carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

Small threat, big consequences

Deer ticks (also called black-legged ticks), which may only be the size of a poppy seed, are commonly found in wooded areas and grasslands. They make contact as people brush past, latch onto their host and engorge in blood. In addition to Lyme disease, they can also transmit the pathogens causing anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis and several more tickborne diseases.

"Ticks can transmit a number of diseases to humans. As their range of habitat expands and as humans venture further into the woods in search of solitude and recreation, the threat of disease transmission continues to rise," said Dr. Avish Nagpal, Sanford Fargo infectious disease physician and director of infection prevention. "Tracking the diseases carried by ticks helps us identify emerging diseases and understand the changing ecology and epidemiology. This study provides an opportunity for the residents of the communities we serve to become our partners in promoting better health through prevention.

Awareness and early recognition of symptoms are key to preventing serious disease. Tick populations and tick-borne illnesses have surged throughout the U.S. in recent years.

To reduce the risk of tick bites, spray the insecticide permethrin on clothing, sleeping bags, and tent fabric. Wear clothing that covers your skin. Finally, have someone help you check for ticks after time spent outdoors.

Symptoms of illnesses resulting from a tick bite can include rash, fever, joint pain, and fatigue within several days to weeks. Contact your medical provider if you have these symptoms. Lyme disease doesn't always result in the classic bullseye rash. Bring the tick in a small plastic bag to your provider, if possible.

Get your tick kit

Tick collection kits are available at the Sanford South University Urgent Care, 1720 University Dr. S., Fargo and Sanford Broadway Urgent Care, 720 4th St. N, Fargo. No appointment is necessary and kits are available in the lobby.

For more information, or to request a pre-paid collection kit be sent to you, contact tics-MFLD@sanfordhealth.org or 1-715-389-7796 (extension 16462). Groups interested in having kits available for their visitors (such as parks and nature centers, vet clinics, libraries) also are encouraged to contact Marshfield Clinic Research Institute.

Once the tick, dead or alive, has been placed in the collection kit, drop it in the mail to submit using the kits provided. Any tick found on people or pets is appreciated. Each kit will come with a unique identification number that participants can use to look up, via an online dashboard, the species of ticks they submitted. Multiple ticks can be submitted but identification of ticks is limited to 10 per kit.

The kit has additional optional survey questions including the types of precautions the person is taking to avoid ticks, if they have ever been diagnosed with a tickborne disease and if the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute can follow up with the person for potential future studies. Tick Inventory via Citizen Science-Lyme Experience Narrative Study (TICS-LENS) is aimed at engaging individuals who have experienced Lyme or another tick-infection to tell their story. Anyone can share their story – a tick submission is not required. Responses will be anonymous, unless people want to share their contact information. Visit redcap.link/ticslens for more information.

Tick submissions from all over North Dakota are encouraged, regardless of whether the person is a Sanford Health patient or not.