Tick Eggs in the House: What They Look Like

Finding clusters of tiny brown specks in a corner can be alarming. It might be tick eggs.

The short answer

Tick eggs are very small, round to oval, often brown to reddish and laid in clusters of hundreds to thousands in cracks, crevices and behind skirting, furniture and kennels. A single female can lay thousands, so a few ticks can become a big problem fast. Vacuum and clean thoroughly, seal the vacuum contents, and arrange professional treatment. Treat the dog on a vet's advice at the same time.

What they look like

• Tiny, glossy, brown to reddish specks.
• Laid in clumps, like fine grains.
• Found in cracks, corners and dark places.

Where to look

• Behind skirting and furniture.
• Cracks in walls and floors.
• Kennels and dog beds.
• Under rugs and carpet edges.

What to do

1. Vacuum carefully and dispose of contents in a sealed bag.
2. Wipe surfaces and wash bedding.
3. Treat the dog as advised by a vet.
4. Call a professional for crack and crevice treatment.

When to call a professional

If the problem is widespread, keeps returning or you are unsure what you are dealing with, a professional inspection will save time and avoid wasted effort.

Frequently asked questions

How many eggs does a female lay?

Thousands.

Do eggs hatch quickly?

In a few weeks in warm weather.

Are tick eggs harmful?

They are not, but larvae feed on hosts.

Can I crush them?

Vacuum and discard rather than crush.

This guide is part of IPest's complete resource on tick and flea control. For identification help, prevention and treatment options, see our full tick and flea control guide for Bangalore.