Map the Ticks. Help Science!
The Institute of Zoology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS), and the Institute of Informatics of SAS, are launching the public part of the project – obtaining accurate information about ticks, under the name InfoTick (InfoKliešť), which connects science, artificial intelligence, and active citizens. It is a unique Citizen Science project – a type of research in which the public can actively participate. Anyone who photographs a tick and records its location helps scientists train artificial intelligence and contribute to creating a tick distribution map.
The InfoTick project, supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency (APVV-22-0372), will run until mid-2027 and monitors the occurrence of the most common tick species in Slovakia, their seasonal activity, and their potential to transmit pathogens. Data from the public will be of key importance – they will complement field measurements by researchers and enable the creation of an accurate tick distribution map, useful for both science and public health.
Ticks in the City and in Nature: What SAS Is Researching
“Although the common tick (Ixodes ricinus) has been studied for decades, we still lack knowledge about its ecology and seasonal activity. Due to climate change and urbanization, ticks are increasingly appearing in urban areas. The project’s goal is therefore to map their occurrence across the entire territory of Slovakia, including urban locations,” explained project leader Mgr. Veronika Rusňáková Tarageľová, PhD., from the Institute of Zoology of SAS.
Researchers focus mainly on two epidemiologically significant species: the common tick (Ixodes ricinus) and the ornate cow tick (Dermacentor reticulatus). Their distribution areas are expanding due to changing environments, along with the associated risks of transmitting infectious diseases. Two main field methods are used: flagging – systematic collection of ticks from vegetation – and tick gardens, which allow monitoring of the life cycle and seasonal activity of various developmental stages of ticks.
“Different species of ticks transmit different pathogens. By identifying species and analyzing the presence of infected individuals, we can better assess risks to public health. We will also monitor the occurrence of non-native tick species that may introduce new diseases,” added MVDr. Markéta Derdáková, PhD., from the Institute of Zoology of SAS.
How the Public and Artificial Intelligence Help
“With photographs and location data from the public, we can train artificial intelligence to recognize tick species. These data will form the basis for creating an accurate tick distribution map, which will be continuously updated with new field data,” explained Ing. Emil Gatial, PhD., from the Institute of Informatics of SAS, who leads the development of the AI system.
The goal of the project is to develop a mobile app for intelligent tick identification and a comprehensive web platform. These tools will provide practical benefits for both the public and experts — enabling easy tick reporting, visualization of current distribution data, and risk assessment for tick-borne pathogens. The final versions of these tools will be available in 2027.
Prevention as the Key to Health
The project is also supported by the Bratislava Self-Governing Region (BSK). “In our region, we often encounter ticks — in nature, meadows, and increasingly also in urban parks and gardens. Many residents have personal experience with ticks and the diseases they transmit. The InfoTick project is not only a tool for scientific mapping but also for raising awareness about prevention. If we want to prevent tick-borne diseases, we must know where and what risks exist,” said Mgr. Peter Kardoš, Director of the Health Department of BSK.
Partners Will Help Raise Awareness
The General Health Insurance Company also provided recent data of interest, as it has long warned about the risks associated with tick-borne diseases. “We view this project of the Slovak Academy of Sciences as an important step toward raising awareness of health risks associated with bites from infected ticks. Just last year, 2130 of our insured were treated for Lyme disease, and another 118 were treated for tick-borne encephalitis. As the leading health insurer in Slovakia, we actively support prevention, which is key in this case as well. We regularly remind our insured about the option of vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis,” said Matúš Jurových, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the General Health Insurance Company.
The project’s partner is also the City of Bratislava, which will help promote the project through its public transport channels, social media, and in the premises of the New Town Hall.
Text: Press release of the Institute of Zoology of SAS
Photo: Matej Pok