The Swedish National Veterinary Institute (SVA) has initiated a citizen science project to track tick activity and distribution throughout the country. Participants can submit photos of ticks they find, along with location information, via a web tool. While this method doesn’t provide a completely comprehensive picture, it offers valuable insights into tick prevalence and behavior, especially given the changing patterns of tick activity. Traditionally, the tick season in Sweden spanned from March/April to October/November, with ticks entering a dormant state during the winter months. However, this is no longer a reliable assumption, as reports of active ticks are increasingly common even during winter.
This shift in tick activity is highlighted by the significant number of tick reports received by SVA during the winter months. In December alone, nearly 100 tick sightings were reported, and reports continued to arrive daily throughout January. The majority of these winter sightings originated from southern and western regions of Sweden, including Skåne, Blekinge, Småland, and Västra Götaland, although ticks have been found as far north as the Stockholm area. The SVA encourages continued public participation in this research project, emphasizing the importance of every reported sighting in contributing to a better understanding of tick distribution and activity.
Ticks typically become dormant when temperatures drop below freezing and reactivate when temperatures rise above 5 degrees Celsius. However, egg-laying doesn’t commence until temperatures reach around 10 degrees Celsius. Despite the relative rarity of winter tick activity, it remains crucial to check both pets and oneself for ticks after spending time outdoors, even in urban environments. Ticks are not confined to forests and can be found in parks, gardens, and other green spaces, particularly in areas frequented by deer. Deer can carry ticks into residential areas, potentially exposing humans and pets to these parasites.
The increasing presence of ticks during winter months holds significant implications for healthcare professionals. Awareness of year-round tick activity is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment of tick-borne diseases, which might not be the primary consideration during winter. The combination of warmer winters and reduced snow cover, resulting in extended periods of bare ground and the absence of soil frost, is likely to contribute to even greater tick activity in the future. This changing landscape necessitates increased vigilance and awareness of the potential risks associated with tick bites.
The SVA’s ”Report a Tick” web tool provides a simple and accessible platform for citizen scientists to contribute to this important research. Users can select an image that best matches the tick they found, specify the location of the discovery, and submit a photograph of the tick. In cases of unusual tick findings, further instructions are provided for submitting the specimen directly to the SVA for detailed analysis. This user-friendly tool empowers individuals to play an active role in monitoring tick populations and enhancing our understanding of tick-borne diseases.
The information gathered through this project is crucial for understanding the changing dynamics of tick populations and the associated risks of tick-borne diseases. As climate change continues to influence environmental conditions, it’s essential to monitor and adapt to the evolving patterns of tick activity. The SVA’s initiative provides a valuable platform for collecting data, raising public awareness, and ultimately contributing to public health efforts aimed at mitigating the risks associated with tick bites and tick-borne illnesses. The combination of citizen science and scientific research is proving invaluable in tracking these changes and informing public health strategies.
