Do Fleas Go Dormant in the Winter?

Many pet owners assume that fleas go dormant during the winter, but this is simply not true. Fleas cannot survive freezing temperatures and will instead find warmer places to live. This means that while flea activity is limited, the number of fleas in your house is not.

Many people stop flea preventative treatments in the winter, which opens the door to a winter infestation. Instead, a veterinarian can recommend a flea treatment that can be used throughout the year. Using preventative treatments year-round is essential. It will protect your pet from flea infestations, and will help prevent any future ones.

Treatments that kill fleas include indoor foggers, carpet sprays, and home sprays. Treatments for indoor and outdoor areas are recommended, as fleas use homes and yards as shelter during winter. A good yard spray, such as Adams Yard & Garden Spray, will kill fleas of all life stages and protect your yard for up to four weeks.

Fleas and ticks are active year-round, so it’s important to protect yourself year-round. However, many species of ticks will slow their activity when temperatures drop, which can allow them to seek shelter underground or in leaf litter. Other species may choose to latch onto an animal for protection.