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Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)
Identify it, prevent it, and know when to call. A South Florida guide from Pro-Spray.
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What Is the Brown Dog Tick?
The brown dog tick is unusual: it can complete its entire life cycle indoors. Most ticks live outdoors in tall grass and woods, but this one is adapted to living around dogs, including in homes, kennels and garages. In South Florida, it's the tick most likely to cause an indoor infestation.
How to Identify Them
Brown dog ticks are small, flat and reddish-brown, with no distinct white markings on the back. When they feed, they swell into a gray, bean-shaped shape. Homeowners often find them climbing walls, curtains and baseboards, because they crawl upward to hide after feeding.
Common look-alikes:
- American dog tick: has white or silvery markings on the back. See American dog tick.
- Fleas: smaller and jump instead of crawl.
Life Cycle and Habits
Ticks go through egg, larva, nymph and adult stages, and each active stage feeds on a host, usually a dog, before dropping off to molt. Engorged females drop off and lay eggs in hidden cracks. In warm homes, this cycle continues year-round. Ticks can survive for a long time between meals.
Signs of Brown Dog Ticks
- Ticks on your dog, especially in the ears, between toes and around the neck
- Ticks crawling up walls, curtains or furniture
- Ticks around dog beds, crates and kennels
- Small ticks in window frames and cracks near where dogs sleep
Is it dangerous?
- Bites
- Disease risk
Irritating to dogs, can transmit diseases to dogs, occasionally bites people.
Why They Show Up Here
Our climate supports them year-round. Dogs pick them up at kennels, groomers, dog parks or from other dogs, then bring them home.
Prevention Tips
- Keep dogs on a tick preventive recommended by your vet.
- Check dogs after visits to kennels, groomers and parks.
- Wash dog bedding regularly in hot water.
- Vacuum along baseboards and around pet areas.
- Seal cracks near pet resting spots.
How Pro-Spray Treats Brown Dog Ticks
We do a detailed inspection of pet areas and the cracks where ticks hide, then treat baseboards, crevices, furniture edges, kennels and outdoor resting areas. Your dog needs veterinary treatment at the same time. Follow-up visits may be needed because eggs can hatch after treatment.
Kennels, Groomers and Multi-dog Homes
Brown dog tick problems often start after a dog has spent time in a place with lots of other dogs: a boarding kennel, a groomer, a doggy daycare, a shelter or a busy dog park. A single engorged female that drops off in your home can lay a large batch of eggs in a crack near the dog bed. Homes with several dogs, or where dogs sleep in a garage or utility room, can see infestations build quickly because the ticks always have a host nearby. If you've adopted a new dog recently, check it carefully and talk with your vet about tick prevention right away.
Preparing for Treatment
Before your visit, wash all pet bedding and throw rugs, vacuum along baseboards, under furniture and around crates, and move items away from walls so we can reach cracks. Make sure your dogs are treated by your veterinarian around the same time. Keep pets out of treated areas until they're dry.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why are ticks on my walls?
Can ticks live in my house?
Do brown dog ticks bite people?
How should I remove a tick from my dog?
Reviewed October 2026 by Pro-Spray's family-run team
Pests don't wait.
Protect your home today.
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