Wisconsin Residents Asked to Send in Ticks for Research

Marshfield Clinic Research Institute seeks public participation for second year of tick collection program.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 5:03am

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Building on two years of citizen support, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute is once again asking Wisconsin residents to send in ticks they find while working and recreating outside this year. The program aims to collect ticks to further research on tick-borne illnesses.

Why it matters

Tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease are a growing public health concern in Wisconsin and across the Midwest. By engaging the public to submit ticks, the research institute can gather valuable data to better understand tick populations and the pathogens they carry, which can inform prevention efforts.

The details

The Marshfield Clinic Research Institute's tick collection program encourages Wisconsin residents to safely remove any ticks they find on themselves, pets, or the environment, and mail them to the institute for analysis. The ticks will be tested for the presence of disease-causing pathogens, and the data will be used to track tick populations and the prevalence of tick-borne illnesses in the state.

  • The tick collection program launched in 2025 and is now entering its second year.
  • Wisconsin residents are asked to submit ticks they find throughout the 2026 outdoor season.

The players

Marshfield Clinic Research Institute

A medical research organization based in Marshfield, Wisconsin that focuses on public health issues affecting the state's population.

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What they’re saying

“Engaging the public in our tick research is crucial to better understanding the threat of tick-borne diseases in Wisconsin.”

— Dr. Sarah Johnson, Lead Researcher, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute

What’s next

The Marshfield Clinic Research Institute will continue collecting ticks from Wisconsin residents throughout the 2026 outdoor season. The institute plans to share its findings and insights from the program in a public report later in the year.

The takeaway

By participating in the Marshfield Clinic's tick collection program, Wisconsin residents can play an active role in advancing research on tick-borne illnesses and help their community better prepare for and prevent these public health threats.