Amplifying signal from Maryland Native Plant Society:
With summer officially here, outside activities are on the rise and so too are encounters with ticks. Those who find ticks on themselves or pets are encouraged to donate them to the tick research project run by Dr. Rebekah Taylor at Frostburg State University. This research provides a better understanding about various ticks found in the region and what pathogens they carry, such as the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease. Every donated tick is identified, mapped, and tested. All of the data is uploaded to an open-access website hosted by FieldScope.
Donated ticks should be from the following counties (or areas very close to these counties):
- Maryland
- Washington
- Allegany
- Garrett
- Pennsylvania
- Somerset
- Bedford
- Fulton
- West Virginia
- Mineral
- Hampshire
- Grant
- Preston
To donate ticks:
- Tape the ticks to an index or post card, and note the date and the approximate geographic location where the ticks were encountered.
- Place them in a freezer for at least one day to ensure that they are dead before being mailed.
- Mail the card to: Dr. Rebekah Taylor, Frostburg State University, 101 Braddock Road, Frostburg MD 21532.