Tick season has commenced in March in southern Finland and Åland, with trends showing the season moving northward alongside the melting of snow and rising temperatures. The emergence of active ticks not only raises concerns for outdoor activities but also signifies an increased risk of tick-borne diseases. Finnish ticks are known carriers of Borrelia bacteria that cause Lyme disease, as well as the TBE virus and other pathogens, posing a public health concern for residents.

In response to the growing tick population and the associated health risks, researchers are asking citizens to send any ticks they encounter to the University of Turku for analysis. This initiative aims to monitor the diversity and prevalence of tick species and the pathogens they carry, allowing health officials to assess changes in tick-related health risks over time. The last significant collection effort occurred in 2015, which received nearly 20,000 ticks through mail, highlighting the importance of community engagement in tracking these diseases.

The submission guidelines for this year's citizen science initiative can be found at punkkipankki.fi, where the public can contribute to ongoing research regarding ticks and their behavior. This ongoing research is crucial as it helps inform measures to manage and mitigate the risks associated with tick bites in Finland, particularly in the wake of changing climatic conditions that could affect tick populations.