How Long Do Fleas Live in the Cold?
WouterMany people are surprised to learn that fleas are capable of surviving the cold during the winter. While most fleas die during the Winter, some species remain active and lay eggs in animals’ fur. These eggs survive the cold, allowing the fleas to live and breed through the Winter months. Regardless of the season, it is important to protect your pets from fleas by using effective flea control products.
To survive the winter, fleas must stay outside for at least a day at temperatures below 37 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you live in a mild area, fleas can survive temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Even if the temperature is above 37 degrees, they can survive the cold for up to 10 days.
Fleas need warm, moist conditions to stay alive and reproduce. They prefer temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and between 18 and 26 degrees Celsius. Cold weather does not kill adults, but it will kill flea eggs and their offspring. They will also lay eggs in warm environments, such as a raccoon’s den. This is how they ensure their population survives the colder months.
Fleas are most active in warm, humid areas, but freezing temperatures will kill them. Fleas can survive below 37 degrees Fahrenheit, but their larvae will only survive in temperatures above that. This is why it is so important to have an effective flea control program in place during the winter months.
