Can Your Pet Get Fleas During Winter?

Can your pet get fleas during winter? Even if you dislike the colder weather you probably enjoy the winter and its lack of bugs. No bees and flies to avoid, but what about fleas? If you think you can stop using flea and tick medication on your pets during the winter you will be disappointed to find out that winter doesn't necessarily mean no pests. Continue reading for more information on this and how you can treatment infestations.

Unfortunately, fleas are persistent pests. They are sometimes difficult to prevent and hard to get rid of. During the winter, fleas can survive if they find ways to keep warm. A flea can survive in temperatures down to the upper 30s. If a flea or tick can find wild animals or a pets to jump on then it can live all winter. These pests lay their eggs on animals and they go through stages. At one point they are called pupae. A flea pupae can remain in its cocoon until warm weather, they can actually remain dormant for over a year until they can complete their development and emerge from their cocoon in warm weather. Typically, fleas breed and grow ideally in temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit with at least 75 percent humidity.

Pests not dying in the winter is especially true in warmer climates where cold winter weather doesn't go lower than the 30s. Ticks also try to find animals to attach to and can survive unless temperature drops below about 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you want to avoid fleas and ticks all year round the best thing to do is use prevention throughout the entire year. Sprays, powders, and various products are available to prevent fleas and ticks on dogs and cats. If you've never used them before you can talk to your veterinarian about what brand they recommend.

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment.