How Do Dogs Get Fleas in Winter? Here’s What To Do!
It can sometimes feel like a constant battle to ensure your dog is healthy and pest free!
Watching them scratch is not only upsetting for you, but it can also indicate deeper trouble in terms of trying to get rid of them from your furniture, carpets, and more!
Summer can be particularly difficult for dog owners with the humidity and milder weather, which are perfect conditions for fleas to reproduce, but it can be surprising to notice your precious pooch is suffering in winter too!
So you might be wondering how do dogs get fleas in winter? Let’s find out, starting with the quick answer.
How do dogs get fleas in winter? Fleas head for dark places to hide and in centrally heated winter houses will try to find a nice warm host such as your dog's coat in which to breed. Fleas can survive in temperatures as low as 30.2°F, but they can only live for shorter periods than in summer.
But there’s more to it than just that, we’ve nailed the brief, so now that we can better understand how dogs get fleas in winter, let’s start by understanding a little more about why your dog might still get fleas in winter.
Why does my dog get fleas in winter?
Although the summertime is the prime time with warm moist conditions that fleas love, some owners are surprised that fleas can be around all year even in colder months.
So even when it’s frosty and cold outside, it’s still possible for your dog to attract fleas onto his coat and into your nice warm home.
Although fleas do become less active in colder weather our centrally heated hold environments assist in keeping fleas alive.
“So even when it’s frosty and cold outside,
it’s still possible for your dog to attract fleas onto his coat and into your nice warm home.”
What is the life cycle of a flea?
So we can understand a little more easily how dogs get fleas in winter, let's take a look at where those pesky fleas start their life.
A flea has four life stages. These stages are:
- Egg
- Larvae - this is the fleas stage of development after its birth
- Pupae - the final stage before adulthood
- Adult flea
Dogs act as a host
Flea’s eggs are commonly laid on a dog’s skin, where the dog acts as a host.
The trouble starts in your winter home when the eggs fall off your beloved pet and nestle onto furniture, carpets, and bedding.
Flea larvae avoid light
The crucial time for fleas in winter to move from your dog into your home is during the larval cycle.
Larvae prefer moist, dark, warm environments and it's at this stage that they are looking to avoid strong light sources, so will move onto grass, dirt, leaves, the fibers of your carpet, under furniture, and anywhere it’s dark.
So you might be wondering are fleas able to survive in the colder winter months? Let’s find out.
Can fleas survive cold temperatures?
In winter, although warm environments outdoors are less available, fleas are still able to survive in temperatures below 30.2 Fahrenheit, although they can only live for shorter periods than in warmer conditions.
The way the fleas combat cold environments is to attach themselves to a warm host, such as your dog.
One of the main reasons that dogs will still get fleas during a cold snap or through the winter months Is that of course, dog owners turn up the central heating to keep their homes warm when it’s chilly outside and this will make fleas even more attracted to your home.
A flea is an opportunistic creature and although cannot survive freezing temperatures for long, they will be more likely to attach themselves to the warmth of your special furry companion as he snuggles up by the fireplace!
Many dog and pet owners are under the impression that cold weather and freezing temperatures kill off eggs, but a cold snap will simply slow down their life cycle and they will hatch all winter.
However, it’s worth noting that adult dog fleas can live up to one year in ideal situations, but only about one to two weeks if no host is present.
“The crucial time for fleas in winter
to move from your dog into your home is during the larval cycle.”
So you might be wondering if fleas your fur baby attracts during winter might simply just go away on their own.
Let’s find out.
Will winter dog fleas go away on their own?
According to experts, Fleas can cause not only discomfort for your pet but also can cause allergies and anemia, during both summer and winter.
Unfortunately, most flea infestations won’t go away on their own.
Fleas have evolved over the course of millions of years to become one of nature's most resilient pests, so if you and your doggie are struggling with a flea infestation, you should take immediate action to get rid of them.
“Unfortunately, most flea infestations won’t go away on their own.”
So now we can understand a little more easily as to why your favorite furry family member might be struggling with those irritating fleas during the colder winter months as well as in the summer that won’t disappear on their own, you might be wondering how you actually get rid of fleas in winter.
Let’s find out if summer or winter makes a difference in getting rid of fleas.
How do I get rid of fleas in winter?
So although it may be easier to control flea infestations during the summer months as you are able to ventilate rooms and dry off your beloved pooch, plus rugs and carpets, etc., it can still be done effectively.
The most effective way to control flea infestations is to treat your precious pet all year round!
Prescription and non-prescription direct treatments in the form of topical applications, flea shampoos, tablets, and sprays are all readily available products to effectively treat fleas on your pet.
Combing your dog with a flea removal comb can also help to remove the adult fleas and also destroy the eggs.
Let’s take a look at some ways you can help control any fleas your dog might have and how to keep your precious pooch and your home flea-free during the winter months!
Let’s take a look below and find out how.
- Wash all doggie bedding in hot, soapy water
- According to recent studies, it’s been shown that vacuuming all carpets, and any kind of floor, including tiled, wooden, and lino, can kill fleas and their eggs. Just don’t forget to throw away the vacuum bag
- Use a carpet or upholstery spray to help protect your furniture from fleas for up to 7 months.
- Choose and apply a spray, pellet, or non-toxic flea treatment for your yard
- Continue to treat your dog and any other pets with a monthly treatment
And finally…
So there you have it! Everything you need to know to keep your precious pooch and your home flea-free during those important winter months when we might not think fleas are an issue.
Don’t forget it’s as important to continue with any preventative steps during colder weather as during summertime and continue to be vigilant when checking your fur baby for fleas.
Don’t forget to visit our store for all your doggie needs to keep him and your home safe from fleas.
Try Adams Home Protection Powder which kills all four flea stages and can help to protect your living spaces for up to a year.
