Finns send thousands of ticks by post for research project

Finnish citizens have mailed nearly 3,000 tick samples to the University of Turku’s tick collection project since January, with submissions increasing sharply in late March, the university reports.

The “Tick Bank” initiative, launched at the start of the year, encourages the public to send in ticks found in nature for analysis. According to a university statement, the busiest days in mid-April saw over 90 samples arrive in a single day. The collection will continue until the end of 2024.

Researchers aim to map tick-borne pathogens and shifts in tick populations, particularly the taiga tick (Ixodes persulcatus) and the common sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus). The last major collection in 2015 revealed significant changes, as ticks have since spread to new regions and become more widespread.

Taiga ticks emerge as soon as snow melts but decline after midsummer, while sheep ticks become active later in spring and remain so until October. The university notes that some regions—including South Savo, South Karelia, Kymenlaakso, and Satakunta—have submitted fewer samples than expected.

“It’s unclear whether this reflects lower tick activity or simply lack of awareness about the collection,” said tick researcher and docent Jani Sormunen. “We especially encourage participation from areas with few reports to ensure accurate mapping of taiga ticks and their pathogens.”

The project seeks additional samples from Päijät-Häme, South Ostrobothnia, and Central Finland before early summer.