Arkansas Tickborne Disease Project
Every year, hundreds of Arkansans fall victim to tick-borne illnesses. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is conducting a statewide study to find out two things:
- What species of ticks live in Arkansas and where,
- What diseases they carry and where these diseases are found in Arkansas.
Quick facts:
- Ticks can be collected from harvested deer, pets, or by trapping. (Ask your county
agent how.)
- This study is not intended to diagnose individual cases of tick-borne disease. Consult
your physician.
- Check out the online map to see data collection to date
The study, now in its second year, is supported by a grant from the Arkansas Biosciences
Institute. Full results will be reported following a third year of collections.
For more information, contact your county extension office, or email Dr. Kelly Loftin, at kloftin@uada.edu.
How YOU can get involved
This project will not succeed without your help. We are asking for "citizen scientists"
to help us gather the needed specimens to get a full picture of what types of ticks
are causing diseases in our state. If you are collecting ticks keep these tips in
mind:
- Capture the ticks ALIVE and intact
- Specimens must have their mouths intact
- Record the location! Use GPS coordinates or name of the park, address, etc.
- Collectors will remain anonymous
Explore full project details
The Tick Kit
The kit comes with five vials filled with preservatives and a card for recording locations
of collection. We included a self-addressed envelope to return the kits to our lab.
Learn what is in the tick kit
Mapping the Results
Results of tick kits received by the research team will be displayed on a real-time
interactive map. Click map pins to see details about the collection samples.
See updated tick study map