http://labs.russell.wisc.edu/wisconsin-ticks/
Updates
August, 2018: Nymphal deer ticks are less abundant but still active in Wisconsin right now. About 20-25% of nymphs are infected with the Lyme spirochete. Overall, 2018 has been normal in terms of tick numbers.
Live in Wisconsin and want your tick identified?
NEW for 2018: Page over to check out the Tick App, http://labs.russell.wisc.edu/wisconsin-ticks/the-tickapp/ our new tool for studying tick exposure and providing mobile information about ticks and tick-borne disease. More than 600 Wisconsinites have already participated in 2018.
NEW for 2018: We are starting a tick identification service. Identifying the stage and species of a tick are crucial to deciding whether to seek medical attention or not. Tick-borne diseases are only carried by certain ticks in specific regions. We can help you identify the tick you’ve found based on your images and geographical location. Use the following link to submit your photos and information:
Take a picture of ticks on your phone and go here: https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3s1wBopYCcW0lzT
Wisconsin ticks: http://labs.russell.wisc.edu/wisconsin-ticks/
Go to link for pictures and information on each. There are 4 ticks listed including the Lone Star Tick, which was until recently considered a Southern tick but is here as well. Wisconsin had its first RMSF death, transmitted by the Lone Star Tick, recently: https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/07/10/first-rmsf-death-in-wisconsin/
There is also a tab titled “Tick-Borne Diseases.” Go to link to read about them. They give WI stats as well. Please remember ALL the numbers are low as many go unreported:
- Lyme (Bb or Bm)
- Borrelia miyamotoi (relapsing fever)
- Anasplasmosis
- Ehrlichia muris eauclairensis (EML)
- Babesiosis
- Powassan virus/deertick virus
- Ehrlichia chaffeensis
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
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A few points stick out to me:
- Please take pictures of these ticks & send them in so we finally have an accurate record. They are asking us for help so let’s give it. It will only help us in the end. Flood them with ticks!
- Baronella didn’t make the list, yet nearly everyone I work with has it. WHY? Because while Bart has been found in ticks, it hasn’t been proven conclusively they transmit. Bart is a nasty, nasty bug and alone can kill you. Coupled with Lyme it can make you want to die.
- For viruses, they only list Powassan when many more are on record including Heartland and Bourbon (unfortunately they aren’t mandatory to report). They know Heartland is transmitted by the Lone Star tick but I couldn’t even find the tick supposedly responsible for Bourbon, although it’s a killer: https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/07/01/one-tick-bite-could-put-you-at-risk-for-at-least-6-different-diseases/
- The lack of data is glaring. Seriously. Glaring. Zika makes front page news here and our mosquitoes can’t even carry it. https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/03/13/wed-nite-the-lab-talk-on-mosquitoes-ticks-disease/ There were only 46 cases of Zika in the U.S. in 2018 – ALL due to travelers returning from affected areas.The CDC “estimates” that there are 300,000 NEW Lyme Disease cases annually in the U.S. Anyone see a disparity here between Zika and Lyme? (Other tick-borne diseases aren’t even on the radar yet)
Madison Area Lyme Support Group 