It’s a known fact that fleas remain active from spring to fall. But does it mean that the pesky parasites disappear during the winter? The answer is no! Though not active during the winter, fleas pose a risk to your furry companion during every season. In this blog, we’re happy to shed light on the importance of flea treatment during winter and ways to prevent infestations.
Do Fleas Remain Active During The Winter?
According to studies, cold temperatures do not kill flea eggs but just slow down their life cycle. Fleas are, in fact, capable of hatching throughout the winter. While adult fleas do die in extremely cold weather, many of them manage to find warm shelters inside your home to survive the winter. The pesky parasites can hide in your home’s nooks and crannies and wait until the weather gets a bit warm to get back into action.
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How Do Fleas Infest Pets in Winter?
Here’s how these pesky parasites manage to infest your pets even during winter.
- Your heated home may offer a favorable environment for fleas to find shelter and live comfortably.
- Wild animals like stray cats or squirrels can bring fleas into your garden or backyard, which can further infest your pet.
- Your pet can get infested with fleas during vet visits or when you take it for a walk at the pet-friendly park.
Importance of Flea Treatment in Winter
Flea treatment is essential during winter as they don’t disappear on their own even in the cold weather.
- Not protecting your pet from fleas during winter can cost its health. Flea infestations can result in itching, scratching, infections and skin irritations.
- If you skip flea treatment during winter, you end up putting your home, garden and yard at risk of flea infestation once the weather gets warmer.
- Fleas are pesky parasites that also transmit diseases and lead to allergies. Offering year-round protection to your pet supports their overall health and ensures their well-being.
[Also Read] 5 Flea And Tick Treatments For Dogs
How to Prevent Flea Infestation?
It is easier to prevent fleas than to treat infestations. Fleas reproduce fast and can infest your home or garden before you even realize it.
Let us look at how you can prevent these tiny organisms from latching onto your pets and infesting your homes.
- Offering year-round treatment: It is important that you continue to offer flea treatment to your pet even during winter. Consistent treatment can prevent infestation and keep your pet protected.
- Keeping your home clean: To prevent flea infestations, you should conduct regular cleaning of your home including pet bedding, quilts, laundry, linens and blankets. All materials that can host fleas should be washed every two to three weeks. You must also vacuum your carpets, upholstery, bare floors and furniture. This kills flea eggs and larvae.
- Using an effective treatment for your home and yard: To keep your home and yard safe from fleas, you must make use of an effective flea treatment that can kill eggs and larvae, if any.
- Ensuring careful vigilance: You must keep your pet under constant check even during colder months so as to prevent serious infestation.
Concluding Note
Year-round flea control is essential for the health and well-being of your furry companion. It protects your pet from parasites and prevents diseases and re-infestation. Therefore, as a pet parent, you must make it a priority to consistently use preventatives, schedule vet check-ups and maintain a clean and hygienic home.
