Marshfield Clinic Research Institute seeking ticks for second year of study

The Marshfield Clinic Research Institute is once again asking Wisconsin residents to send in ticks they find this year.
In 2024, the Research Institute launched the Tick Inventory via Citizen Science (TICS) (www.tinyurl.com/bdfjb387) in an effort to identify the ticks that are found in the state.
A release from Marshfield Clinic said this information can be used to assess risk of encountering a tick-borne disease and to learn more about who is being exposed and diagnosed with tick-borne diseases.
More than 6,000 ticks from nearly every Wisconsin county were submitted in 2024, according to Marshfield Clinic.
“We had overwhelming support from people who are curious and invested in helping better identify the health threats associated with ticks,” said Jennifer Meece, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute Executive Director. “We had many calls last year from people who told us about the impact tick-borne disease had on their lives.”

Of the ticks collected in 2024, about 4,200, or more than 70%, were the American dog (wood) tick, and the majority of the remainder were the deer (blacklegged) tick.
Marshfield Clinic noted that much of that difference is likely due to the larger wood ticks being easier to spot than the smaller deer ticks.
“The deer tick’s small size and greater likelihood of carrying illnesses like Lyme disease is what makes it critical to perform tick checks after spending time in wooded or brushy areas,” said Alexandra Linz, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute Associate Research Scientist.
“Deer ticks carry pathogens that may cause diseases such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and babesiosis,” Marshfield Clinic said. “The large number of ticks submitted allowed the research team to detect an influx of ticks from typically warmer climates, including the lone star tick that spreads ehrlichiosis and could cause Alpha-gal Syndrome (also known as the meat allergy), and Brown dog ticks that spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever.”
“With new tick species becoming more prevalent in Wisconsin, the risk for potential newly introduced diseases increases,” Meece said. “We are trying to determine the extent and significance of this spread and the potential health effects.”

How to request a kit
Tick collection kits are available at the George Mead Wildlife Area Education Center, Castlerock Veterinary in Marshfield, and many Marshfield Clinic locations.
For more information, or to request a pre-paid collection kit be sent to you, contact tics@marshfieldclinic.org or 1.715.389.7796 (extension 16462).
Parks and nature centers interested in having kits available for their visitors are also encouraged to contact Marshfield Clinic Research Institute.
“Once the tick, dead or alive, has been placed in the collection kit, just drop it in the mail to submit using the provided kits,” Marshfield Clinic said. “Any tick found on people or pets is appreciated. Each kit will come with a unique identification number that people can use to look up, via an online dashboard, the species of ticks they submitted.”

new this year inside the kit will be additional survey questions. Marshfield Clinic said optional questions include the types of precautions the person is taking to avoid ticks, if they’ve ever been diagnosed with a tickborne disease, and if the Research Institute can follow up with the person for potential future studies.
“We are interested in learning more about the diseases and how they affect people,” Meece said. “Tick-borne diseases are complex to diagnose, and sometimes, complex to treat. Having a better understanding of the people affected can better help us in future research.”
Marshfield Clinic said tick submissions from all over Wisconsin are encouraged, regardless of if the person is a Marshfield Clinic patient.
Marshfield Clinic highlights “serious health consequences”
Symptoms of illnesses resulting from a tick bite can include rash, fever, joint pain, and fatigue.
“Contact your medical provider if you have these symptoms,” Marshfield Clinic said.
“Lyme disease is by far the most common tick-borne illness in Wisconsin,” said Dr. Thomas Boyce, a Pediatric Infectious Disease Physician with Marshfield Clinic Health System. “Testing is important, because early treatment is highly effective in preventing later stages of the disease from developing. If you remove a deer tick that is attached and engorged, a single dose of an antibiotic (doxycycline) can reduce the risk of contracting Lyme disease ten-fold (from 3% to 0.3%).”
“To reduce the risk of tick bites, spray insecticide such as permethrin on clothing, sleeping bags, and tent fabric,” Marshfield Clinic said. “Wear clothing that covers your skin. Finally, have someone help you check for ticks after time spent outdoors.”