Preventing Tick Bites and Staying Safe Outdoors

Marshfield Clinic researchers seek tick samples to study tick-borne illnesses in Wisconsin

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:20am

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As the weather warms up, health experts are reminding people to take precautions against ticks and tick-borne diseases when spending time outdoors in Wisconsin. Marshfield Clinic is conducting a study and is asking people to submit any ticks they find for research purposes.

Why it matters

Tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis are on the rise in Wisconsin, posing a serious public health concern. Understanding tick populations and the pathogens they carry is crucial for developing better prevention and treatment strategies.

The details

Marshfield Clinic is asking Wisconsin residents to save any ticks they find and submit them to the clinic for a study on tick-borne illnesses. The researchers want to analyze the ticks to identify which species are present and what diseases they may be carrying. This data will help public health officials better understand the risks and develop more effective prevention methods.

  • Tick season typically runs from early spring through late fall in Wisconsin.
  • Marshfield Clinic launched its tick study in March 2026.

The players

Marshfield Clinic

A large healthcare system in Wisconsin that is conducting research on tick-borne illnesses and collecting tick samples from the public.

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What they’re saying

“Ticks are becoming more prevalent in Wisconsin, and we need the public's help to better understand the risks they pose. Every tick sample we receive is valuable for our research.”

— Dr. Sarah Johnson, Infectious Disease Researcher, Marshfield Clinic

What’s next

Marshfield Clinic is providing instructions on its website for how residents can safely collect and submit tick samples for the study.

The takeaway

Staying vigilant about tick prevention, such as using insect repellent, checking for ticks after being outdoors, and submitting tick samples for research, can help Wisconsin communities better understand and mitigate the growing threat of tick-borne illnesses.