Fleas and Ticks in Winter – How They Beat the Winter Chills
Do you think fleas and ticks are only summer dangers? If yes, then you are not alone! A large number of people believe that fleas and ticks are only present in the summer season and cannot survive the winter chills. But unfortunately, this is not true. Summer or winter, these creepy crawlers survive any weather and can attack your pet both indoors and outdoors. Therefore, year-round flea and tick protection is inevitable, especially when it comes to managing flea and tick in winter.
In this blog post, we will be exploring everything about flea and tick infestations. Ranging from their survival in winter to prevention tips. But before proceeding further, let’s first understand how they thrive in each season and how does their life stages evolve.
Understanding Flea and Tick Season
Flea and tick have no dedicated season as they are present year-round, but are most active in the summer. Although fleas and ticks prefer hot and humid climates. They may survive in colder weather by hiding in the soil, bushes, snow, furniture or beddings and attacking your pet when they are playing outside or having a cozy time indoors. Moreover, many regions in the United States are not cold enough to kill fleas and ticks. Therefore, year-round flea and tick protection is essential to keep your little ones hale and hearty.
Stages of Flea and Tick Life Cycle Chart:-
Flea Life Cycle:
- Eggs shed by females
- Eggs hatch into larvae
- Larvae form the pupae
- Pupae emerge into an adult flea
Tick Life Cycle:
- Female sheds eggs
- Eggs turn into larvae
- Larvae hatch into eight-legged nymph
- Nymph emerges as an adult tick
How Fleas and Ticks Survive the Winter?
Flea and tick in winter survive the cold temperatures by hiding in the grass and inside your homes. Once they have made their way inside, they can easily survive in the warmth of the host’s body or a heated room.
While fleas thrive in temperatures equal to or greater than 700 F, they can still survive the winter by finding a warmer place inside your home. Flea pupae enclose themselves in a cocoon for up to 30 weeks at 51.80°F until they emerge as fully grown adults in the warmer months. Flea larvae, eggs, and adult fleas can survive in temperatures as low as 300 F. A female flea can lay hundreds to thousands of eggs in her lifetime and requires only one mild day to jump on a host.
Ticks are active in hot weather and hibernate during the winter season in woods, shrubs, or bushes. After hatching from eggs, larvae aim to feed through the summer and survive the winter. They make their room in colder temperatures by hiding in the leaf litter and snow. Many ticks survive below 350°F, but they cannot thrive below 100°F. Female ticks require 2-3 years, involving different developmental stages with a blood meal from a new host to reach adulthood and reproduce successfully.
Simple Ways to Prevent Fleas and Ticks During Winters
Here are some easy yet effective ways to prevent fleas and ticks during the winter season:
Use Flea & Tick Preventives:
Flea and tick treatments are available in various forms, including oral, topical, and collars, for year-round protection. Frontline Plus, Nexgard Spectra, Simparica Chewables, Seresto Collar, and Bravecto are some of the effective and popular treatments to keep your pet safe all through the year.
Trim the Lawn:
Fleas and ticks hide in the grass, bushes, leaf litter, and woods, especially in the winter season. Make sure you mow your lawn regularly to keep these blood-suckers away from your beloved companions.
Vacuum the Beddings:
Fleas and ticks require warmth and a humid environment to thrive. They can be found inside the beddings, furniture, and heated rooms in the winter months, waiting for the host to attack. Hence, focus on maintaining proper hygiene in your home by regularly vacuuming the beddings and furniture.
Regular Vet Visits:
Taking your furry friend for routine vet checkups may help in detecting flea or tick infestation at an early stage and provide the required treatment on time to keep them safe and healthy.
Final Words on Flea and Tick in Winter
Now that you know that fleas and ticks are not just seasonal guests but are present all through the year and winter is no exception. Therefore, keeping yourself prepared with the appropriate prevention strategies plays a crucial role in maintaining the overall health and well-being of your furry companions. Take notes from the information mentioned in this blog and keep your little ones in the pink. Be sure to consult your veterinarian for personalized recommendations.
Also Read: 6 Unique Ways to Exercise Your Dog Indoors this Winter
