Fleas do not go away during the cold season! This is a myth that people seem to believe all the time. Fleas are a year round problem!
I’ve learned a lot about fleas because I tend to get them in the house and on my pets frequently. I can usually deal with the problem really quickly so its not something that really stresses me out.
Over the years though when dealing with fleas I have found that fleas tend to come into your home more during the winter and fall season. You may be here because you’ve noticed the same thing. I’m going to try to briefly explain why this is and how you can fix the problem.
Why do fleas come into you home during the winter?
During the cold seasons you have to take your dog outside to use the bathroom same as during the summer. This is the perfect time for fleas to latch onto your pet to feed.
The number of fleas outside is generally lower during the winter which is expected seeing as fleas have a hard time growing and living in cold environments.
When it gets cold outside your home tends to get colder. This means you’re going to turn the heat up making your house a nice and cozy place to stay. Not only for your guest, pets, and yourself but for fleas too.
When your pet goes outside fleas will latch on as I said before, then when you bring your pet back inside the flea will stay on your pet and come into your house.
Because it will be so warm in your home fleas will stay and prosper with the perfect temperature.
Can fleas live in cold temperatures?
Flea eggs and larva usually die off during cold temperatures. Adult fleas tend to die off too but sometimes a few fleas can survive outside during the winter.
Flea pupae are the real problem. Pupae are fleas in cocoons between the the larva and adult flea part of the flea life cycle. Flea pupae can survive for months inside of their cocoons without food. This makes them a problem during the winter because they can sense when a host is nearby and wont come out of their cocoons until a host is near.
When your pet comes strolling by it will come out of its cocoon and jump onto you or your pet.
These pupae can also remain inside your house throughout the winter too. They can hide in cracks and inside clothes waiting for a host to walk by.
Find out more about where fleas hide here!
How do I get ride of fleas during the winter?
This is the question you’ve probably been wondering now. How should I get ride of the fleas? The root of your problem is going to be your pet. Keeping fleas off your pet needs to be the first step you take, after that your home.
Keeping fleas off your pet during the winter
Flea Drops– This is a great way of making sure that your pet is free of fleas all year round. This method is used by placing a liquid applicator on the back of your pets fur. This method kills fleas as soon as they bite into your pets fur.
Flea Shampoo- This is the cheaper option to removing fleas on your pet. Instead of applying it to your pets fur like you do with flea drops you will just give your pets a bath instead. This is only a temporary solution though.
Flea Comb- This is the best way to detect fleas on your pet. If you gently comb through your pets fur you can easily find fleas. Make sure to get behind their ears.
Winter flea infestation treatment for your house
Diatomaceous Earth- This is a great substance to use when fleas have really started to spread in your home. Apply the powder to your ground and let it sit for a few hours so it can kill the fleas then vacuum it up.
Diatomaceous Earth is made from the fossils of small aquatic animals called Diatoms. When these fossils as breathed in in large amounts it dries the fleas up from the inside killing them.
Flea Steamer- Use a steamer to kill fleas! Fleas can only live in certain temperatures and humidity levels so a steamer will put them out of their comfortable levels of humidity and kill them along with getting flea dirt and dead fleas out of your home.
Insect Growth Regulators- This is a great way to kill fleas in all stages of their life cycles. This means you wont have to worry about flea eggs when trying to take out and infestation in your home.
How to prevent fleas during the winter
Flea Traps- Traps are a great way to prevent a flea infestation. Place the traps around the house in areas where your pet spends most of its time and it will no doubt catch plenty of fleas that have infiltrated your home. If you want to know more about flea traps I have a Guide to flea traps that can tell you more.
Flea Drops can not only be used as a treatment but also a means to prevent fleas from infiltrating your home. I suggest using this year round to keep them off of your pet.
I’ve never tried it myself but I’ve heard if you keep your house at colder temperatures then the flea eggs and larva are more likely to die which can slow down a infestations growth.
If you have any more questions on fleas please feel free to ask using my contact page.