Fleas and Heat
WouterDuring the winter, fleas are usually inactive in homes because of the cold, but they can survive the heat of the summer months. It is possible to prevent flea infestations and keep pets healthy and safe all year long. However, many pet owners mistakenly think that fleas die during the winter. In reality, fleas cannot survive the freezing temperatures in the winter, so they find a warmer place to live indoors.
Fleas are not affected by heat as much as they are by humidity. In fact, high humidity is a flea’s preferred environment. They do not thrive in low humidity, and their eggs and larvae are easily exposed to moisture and drying. Therefore, even the highest temperatures will slow the reproduction of fleas, but they won’t kill them.
The first step to flea control is to find a flea source. A flea’s life cycle requires a blood meal within a week. Fleas live in the fur of warm-blooded animals, like dogs and cats. They also live on birds and other warm-blooded creatures, including humans. Fleas will not stay on people for long; they prefer to live in the fur and feathers of their hosts.
Another important step is to keep temperatures above 95degF for at least two days. In this way, you can kill the fleas while also preventing further infestations. In addition, you can use heat as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to control flea infestations. However, it is essential to be aware of the conditions before using heat.
