Guilford County seeks 'citizen scientists' for tick study

Guilford County officials are inviting residents to take part in a study focusing on the region’s tick population.

The Guilford County Division of Public Health is soliciting participants for the study being conducted by North Carolina State University.

The county is partnering with N.C. State to distribute free tick collection kits to people 18 years or older. The goal is to take a “citizen scientist” approach to gauging the tick population and exposure risk in the state.

Participants are being asked to submit ticks they’ve pulled off themselves to researchers and fill out a survey for each kit they use.

According to the N.C. State website, North Carolina is home to several common species of ticks. The parasitic arachnids are related to mites and spiders, and their bites can lead to diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme Disease.

Free tick collection kits are available at the Guilford County Department of Health and Human Services in Greensboro.