Are Fleas and Ticks Active Year-Round? What to Watch for This Season

Are you one of those pet owners who think fleas and ticks disappear in winter? If you are, then you need to know that this is a myth and it leaves pets at risk. These pests can survive year-round, with more activity in warmer months. Climate change is extending their active periods, and heated homes offer a refuge during colder months.

Understanding their biology can help prevent infestations that lead to Lyme disease, anemia, and costly vet bills.

Fleas Thrive Indoors Year-Round

Fleas often enter homes by hitching rides on pets. Indoors, they can reproduce endlessly in carpets and furniture. At 65°F+ with 75% humidity, eggs hatch quickly. Winter heating provides perfect conditions, letting larvae survive for months. Regular vacuuming kills about 30% of larvae. If untreated, one flea can become 1,000 in just 21 days. Make sure to treat pets monthly without any gaps in between.

Ticks Activate Above 45°F (7°C)

Deer ticks, which carry Lyme disease, are active when the temperature reaches 45°F+. In milder winters, they emerge on sunny days. American dog ticks become active at 55°F+. After feeding, females drop off and lay over 4,000 eggs in the soil. Lyme disease can be transmitted within 48 hours of attachment. Always check your pets for ticks after outdoor activities, even in December.

Microclimates Extend Active Seasons

Leaf piles, garages, and crawl spaces keep ticks and fleas warm enough to survive. Urban “heat islands” made of concrete and pavement keep temperatures 10°F warmer than rural areas. In snowy regions, ticks can hide under leaf litter until the spring thaw. Always treat pets before heading out on trails, in parks, or in overgrown yards.

Wildlife Spreads Parasites Daily

Wildlife, including raccoons, squirrels, and rodents, spread fleas and ticks year-round. Opossums alone can carry over 5,000 ticks. Birds often drop larvae into gardens near homes. Keep fencing maintained, clear brush piles, and avoid leaving pet food outside to reduce these carriers.

Fall & Spring Are Peak Invasion Periods

Flea populations spike in the fall when temperatures are around 70°F+ with high humidity. Ticks peak in the spring (April-June) and fall (Sept-Nov), when they are actively searching for hosts. Use vet-prescribed preventatives, like NexGard or Bravecto, during these months. Do not skip doses, even on cool mornings.

Signs of Infestation Owners Miss

• Fleas — Look for pepper-like dirt (feces) on bedding, excessive paw licking, or scabs on the neck and spine.

• Ticks — Symptoms include unexplained fever, lethargy, or sudden lameness (common in Lyme disease).

Check your pet’s armpits, ears, and between their toes weekly with a flea comb.

Prevention Beats Treatment Every Time

Use topical or oral preventatives to disrupt the parasite lifecycle before eggs hatch. Vaccines, like the Lyme vaccine, provide extra protection. Treat your home with diatomaceous earth in crevices. Wash pet bedding in hot water weekly. Never use dog products on cats, as pyrethrin toxicity can be fatal.

Climate Change Is Lengthening Risk Windows

Winters have warmed by 3°F since 1970. Ticks now survive in 50% more counties than in 1995. Frost-free days have increased by two weeks nationwide. More warm days mean more generations of parasites each year. Year-round prevention is crucial to keeping your pets safe.

For more on fleas and ticks, visit Allied Animal Healthcare. Our office is in Riverdale, Georgia. To book an appointment today, call (770) 573-2732.

https://www.brekkevet.com/blog/are-fleas-and-ticks-active-year-round-what-to-watch-for-this-season.html

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/flea-tick-season/