Fleas and Ticks in Winter: Why They’re Still a Problem

When the colder months roll in, most people assume they can shelve their concerns about pests like fleas and ticks. After all, doesn’t the freezing weather kill them off? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t so straightforward. Fleas and ticks remain a problem even during winter, and understanding their biology and behavior is critical to protecting yourself, your family, and your pets.

Are Insects Cold-Blooded? What It Means for Fleas and Ticks

To understand why fleas and ticks are a year-round nuisance, it helps to answer a fundamental question: are insects cold-blooded? The answer is yes. Insects, including fleas and ticks, are ectothermic, meaning their body temperature depends on the surrounding environment. Unlike warm-blooded animals that regulate their internal heat, cold-blooded creatures slow down their metabolism in colder weather.

However, slowing down doesn’t mean these pests disappear. Fleas and ticks have adapted to survive low temperatures by finding warm environments and hosts to sustain their life cycle. This adaptability allows them to thrive even when the ground is frozen.

How Fleas Survive the Winter

Fleas are masters of survival, thanks to their hardy life stages and ability to hide. Adult fleas rely on warm-blooded hosts, such as pets or wildlife, to stay alive during winter. Fleas that aren’t attached to a host can survive by burrowing into warm, protected areas like your home, garage, or crawl space.

Flea Eggs and Larvae in Winter

Flea eggs and larvae are particularly resilient. Eggs laid in your home can remain dormant for months, waiting for ideal conditions to hatch. Even larvae, which are less mobile, can survive winter by taking shelter in carpets, furniture, and cracks in flooring.

Indoor Heating Fuels Infestations

With indoor heating, homes provide the perfect environment for fleas to flourish. Warm temperatures combined with humidity allow fleas to reproduce year-round, making winter no safer than summer for your pets and home.

How Ticks Persist Through the Cold

Ticks are similarly adept at surviving winter conditions. Depending on the species, ticks enter a state called diapause—a form of dormancy that helps them conserve energy—or actively seek hosts during warmer winter days.

The Role of Wildlife in Tick Survival

Ticks often latch onto wildlife like deer, squirrels, and mice to endure the cold. These animals act as mobile heaters, giving ticks access to food and transportation. This means that even in snowy conditions, ticks can remain active and infectious.

Ticks in Urban Areas

Ticks aren’t just a rural problem. They can infiltrate urban environments by hitching rides on rodents and birds. If these infected animals find their way into your yard, shed, or home, they bring ticks along with them, posing risks to your family and pets.

Common Myths About Fleas and Ticks in Winter

Misconceptions about fleas and ticks in winter lead to many homeowners letting their guard down. Let’s debunk some of the most common myths:

Myth 1: Freezing Weather Kills All Pests

While it’s true that extreme cold can kill some insects, fleas and ticks have developed ways to survive. Many find shelter in animal hosts or indoor spaces where temperatures remain above freezing.

Myth 2: You Don’t Need Flea and Tick Prevention in Winter

Stopping flea and tick prevention during the winter months is a mistake. Infestations can still occur, especially in heated homes where pests can breed unchecked.

Myth 3: Ticks Aren’t a Threat in Alaska

Although Alaska’s colder climate reduces the presence of certain pests, ticks are becoming an increasing concern. Wildlife migration and climate shifts have allowed tick populations to expand into areas once thought to be inhospitable.

Why Fleas and Ticks Are Dangerous Year-Round

Fleas and ticks aren’t just nuisances—they’re carriers of serious diseases that can affect both humans and animals. Some of the most common issues include:

Fleas

• Flea Allergy Dermatitis: Pets with flea allergies can suffer severe itching, hair loss, and skin infections.
• Tapeworms: Fleas can transmit tapeworms to pets and, occasionally, to humans.
• Anemia: Severe flea infestations can lead to significant blood loss in small animals, causing anemia.

Ticks

• Lyme Disease: A tick-borne illness that causes fever, joint pain, and fatigue in humans and pets.
• Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis: Additional tick-borne diseases that can lead to severe symptoms if untreated.
• Tick Paralysis: Rare but dangerous, this condition occurs when a tick’s saliva introduces neurotoxins into a host’s bloodstream.

How to Protect Your Home and Pets During Winter

Fortunately, you can take steps to reduce the risk of fleas and ticks, even during the colder months.

Keep Up with Flea and Tick Preventatives

Veterinarians recommend year-round flea and tick preventatives for pets. These medications kill existing pests and prevent new infestations.

Treat Your Home

Vacuum regularly to remove flea eggs, larvae, and adult fleas. Pay close attention to pet bedding, carpets, and furniture. Use pet-safe insecticides in high-risk areas.

Inspect Your Pets

After outdoor walks or playtime, check your pets for ticks. Look around the ears, neck, and underbelly—areas where ticks like to attach.

Seal Entry Points

Seal cracks and gaps to prevent rodents and wildlife from entering your home. This reduces the likelihood of these animals bringing pests inside.

Maintain Your Yard

Trim overgrown vegetation and clear leaf litter to make your yard less inviting to fleas and ticks. Store firewood away from your home, as it can shelter pests.

Why Professional Pest Control Is Essential

Dealing with fleas and ticks in winter can be challenging, especially when infestations go unnoticed until they’ve become severe. Professional pest control services like Pied Piper Pest Control can help you identify and eliminate these pests efficiently. Our experienced technicians use proven methods to target fleas, ticks, and other pests, ensuring your home remains safe and comfortable.

Contact Pied Piper Pest Control Today

Fleas and ticks don’t take a holiday just because it’s winter. These resilient pests can survive and thrive in Alaska’s coldest months, posing risks to your health and comfort. Pied Piper Pest Control has been Alaska’s premier pest control provider since 1965, offering effective solutions to protect your home and family.

As a locally owned and operated business, we prioritize your needs and comfort. Whether you’re dealing with fleas, ticks, rodents, or other pests, our team of skilled technicians is here to help. When you think of quality pest control in Alaska, think of Pied Piper Pest Control.

Don’t wait until pests become a problem. Contact us today to schedule your pest control service and keep your home pest-free this winter!

Categorised in: Insect Control

This post was written by Ken Perry