If you’ve ever gone through the unpleasant experience of dealing with a flea infestation, whether on your pet or in your home, then you know how important it is to stay diligent when it comes to flea and tick prevention. And this means all year round, not just during the warmer months.
It’s commonly believed that fleas and ticks are only a threat when the weather is warm and humans and pets alike are spending more time outside. But the fact is, fleas are not a seasonal issue. They’re present year-round, especially if you live in southern, coastal, or humid areas. If you really want to prevent these persistent pests from finding their way into your home and wreaking havoc, then don’t snooze on protecting against fleas and ticks during the winter season.
Where do fleas come from?
Fleas originate outdoors and thrive in warm, humid environments – specifically in temperatures ranging from 65-85 degrees with 70-80% humidity. This means that warmer areas of the country are naturally a breeding ground for fleas. But that doesn’t mean that fleas aren’t present in colder areas or during the winter season, they may just be less active.
Once fleas attach themselves to a host, often your pet, they can live up to three weeks and lay up to 500 eggs. And what happens to these eggs? They fall off of pets and into carpet, bedding, or plush furniture. A single flea can turn into a nightmare infestation once it latches onto your pet outside and makes its way indoors.
What happens to fleas in winter?
Though fleas thrive in warm environments, they can survive in surprisingly cold weather. Many people think that cold weather will kill off fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, etc., but for the most part, that just isn’t true. There has to be at least one hard freeze to kill pests like these, and still, many species of insects have adapted egg layer cycles that lay dormant in the winter. Long story short: fleas don’t die from the cold!
Once winter hits, fleas will find ways to survive – likely by attaching themselves to warm-bodied hosts like you or your pets. Also like you and your pets, fleas are determined to make their way indoors once the temperatures drop.
This is the last thing you want as a homeowner. Once fleas are inside, they can survive indefinitely as long as they have a host to feed on. And unlike outdoor fleas, indoor fleas won’t ever die unless they’re treated.
How to prevent fleas and ticks
The best way to keep your home and pets safe from these nasty pests is to take preventative measures and stay diligent about it. It’s especially important to treat your yard and outdoor area during the winter so that once spring comes, your home will be completely flea-free.
Fleas and other pests originate outside, so treating outdoor areas will attack pests at the source and will prevent you or your pet from carrying fleas into your indoor living space. You should spray your lawn, garden, and any outdoor areas where your pet plays with a safe and effective plant-based, safe, healthy solution like Wondercide Flea & Tick for Yard + Garden. Treat the area twice in the first 48 hours and then every 30-40 days for maintenance. Wondercide is a great option because not only is it powered by plants and healthy for the environment, it doesn’t contain harmful chemicals so is safe to use around your pets and family.
Indoors, consider treating your home and pets with Wondercide Flea & Tick Control for Pets + Home. When cleaning and spraying, focus specifically on your pet’s sleeping areas and areas of the home like carpet and drapes. It may be wise to call in the professionals to have these specific areas cleaned and cared for. Looking into a Melbourne Carpet Cleaning service or a service that is closer to your location to see what they can do to your home, is one of the first steps you can take. You should also use washable pet bedding that can be gathered up easily by the four corners and laundered frequently. Soapy water actually destroys all flea stages, and you can even add a capful of Flea & Tick for Yard + Garden to the laundry for added repellency.
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