Are you a community scientist itching to contribute to a North Carolina study? NC State University is conducting a study about human exposure to ticks in North Carolina and is partnering with Buncombe County Public Health to help distribute tick collection kits.
Participants should be 18 years or older and would be required to collect ticks, complete a survey, and send their findings via mail.
The study will evaluate a community science approach to tick surveillance and exposure risk in North Carolina.
Study Details
- Participants will only submit ticks pulled off of themselves (not animals)
- Each tick kit should come from the same time and location, use different kits for other times and locations
- Participants will fill out a survey for each kit including identifying the type of tick
- No information will be shared and participants will not be identified from their responses
- Kits will be sent back to researchers in a provided return envelope
- There is no pay for participation
Tick kits can be picked up at 30 Valley Street in Asheville. Each kit will include a postage-paid envelope, two collection vials, instructions for collecting ticks, and a survey for participants to complete.
NCSU cannot provide information on pathogens that may be within the tick nor medical advice or recommendations.
During the summer, ticks, and mosquitos reproduce quickly due to the warmer weather. This means your chance of contracting a severe illness from mosquito and tick bites increases. Learn more about what steps you can take to prevent mosquito and tick bites.