These jelly-like balls are eggs, and this is one pest you definitely don't want around.

Disease-Spreading Parasites

Ticks are small parasites that can cause big problems by carrying different diseases.  You can be outside, get bitten by a tick, and it could fall off before you ever notice it.  This is part of the reason it is so important to check yourself for ticks after you come in from working outside.  According to the CDC, tickborne diseases are on the rise, particularly in the spring, summer, and early fall when they are most active.

While it's impossible to fully "tick-proof" your yard, the CDC has some helpful tips of things you can do to try and discourage ticks from inhabiting your yard.  Things like clearing tall grasses, mowing the lawn frequently, and discouraging unwelcome animals like deer, stray dogs, or raccoons will all help cut down on ticks in your yard.  Another helpful thing you can do is destroy tick eggs if you come across them, but you have to be VERY cautious when doing this. 

Take Caution, But Take Action With Tick Nests

I was recently reading a really interesting article from Healthline about tick nests.  You may have stumbled across one before and not realized it.  These nests look like piles of little gray or brownish colored jelly-like balls, and if you see one in your yard or garden, you'll want to get rid of it.

However, since ticks are known to carry diseases, you need to be extremely cautious when destroying a tick nest, because the eggs themselves can also harbor diseases.

How to Destroy a Tick Nest

According to Healthline, if you spot a tick nest, do not try to stomp on it to destroy it or try to drown the nest in water.  These methods won't work for destroying the tick eggs, because like ticks are hard to kill, so are the eggs.

Healthline suggests using gloves and rubbing alcohol.

If you see a tick nest in your home, you can try vacuuming it up. Then you must seal the vacuum bag immediately and throw it away.

Of course, if you spot one of these nests in your yard, you will want to be extra cautious with checking yourself, kids, and pets for ticks anytime you come inside.  You can find more information on what to do if you find a tick nest in your yard here.