Myth Busting: Fleas and Ticks in Winter
When the temperature drops, many pet owners breathe a sigh of relief – fleas and ticks must be gone for the season, right? Not quite. While colder weather may slow parasite activity, it doesn’t eliminate the risk. Fleas and ticks are remarkably resilient and often find ways to survive through winter, especially indoors and during stretches of mild weather. These persistent misconceptions can leave pets and their owners vulnerable to infestations and tick-borne disease. Below, we break down the most common winter myths and explain why year-round protection matters.
Myth 1: Fleas die off in cold weather
Cold weather may reduce visible parasite activity, but it does not eliminate the risk. All stages of the flea life cycle (eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults) are influenced by temperature and humidity. In heated homes or insulated shelters, their cycle can continue uninterrupted, even in winter. As a result, a single flea brought inside on a dog or cat can quickly turn into a full household infestation, catching pet parents off guard even in December.
Research referenced by Merck Veterinary shows that fleas can survive temperatures as low as 37.4°F for several days, meaning winter alone does not eliminate flea populations. While cold weather may slow flea activity outdoors, fleas are highly adaptable and often continue to thrive when pets live indoors or spend time in warm micro-climates around the home.
Myth 2: Ticks hibernate all winter
Ticks don’t simply disappear when temperatures drop. While many tick species are less active during consistently cold weather, some are most active in the fall and early winter months. In fact, all tick species can become active during warmer winter days, particularly when temperatures rise above freezing.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ticks survive winter by sheltering in fallen leaves, tall grass, brush and other protected micro-habitats that insulate them from extreme cold. When conditions warm up, even briefly, ticks begin looking for a host again. This means a mild winter or an unexpected warm spell can lead to tick encounters when pet parents least expect them, increasing the importance of year-round awareness and prevention.
Myth 3: Indoor-only pets don’t need protection in winter
Fleas and ticks can still find their way indoors during the colder months, even if your pet rarely goes outside. These parasites are often brought indoors on people by clinging to clothing, shoes, or bags, or introduced by wildlife that enter crawlspaces, garages, basements, or even by wandering through yards.
Once inside, fleas thrive in warm, comfortable environments like carpets, upholstery and pet bedding, where they can multiply quickly and spread throughout the home. Because of this, indoor-only pets are not immune to flea and tick exposure. That’s why consistent, year-round protection is so important. Koala Health’s veterinarian-approved preventives make it easier to stay protected, with vet-coordinated care and convenient auto-refill options that help ensure your pet never misses a dose, even during the busy winter months.
Myth 4: I can stop prevention during winter — it’s cheaper and safe
Stopping flea and tick prevention during winter can actually increase your pet’s risk. When prevention is skipped, fleas and ticks can re-establish themselves quietly, especially indoors or during mild winter days. This makes infestations harder and more expensive to control once they take hold and increases the risk of diseases that can affect both pets and people.
The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) recommends year-round flea and tick prevention because consistent protection is the most effective way to break the parasite life cycle before it starts. Continuous prevention helps keep your pet comfortable, protects your home and reduces the chance of surprise infestations when temperatures rise again.
In Conclusion
Cold weather may change parasite behavior, but it doesn’t eliminate the threat. Fleas can survive and multiply indoors, ticks can remain active during mild winter days, and even pets that stay inside are still at risk. These winter myths often create gaps in protection, and it only takes one missed opportunity for parasites to gain the upper hand.
The best way to protect your pet is consistency. Year-round flea and tick prevention helps stop infestations before they start, reduces the risk of parasite-borne disease, and keeps your home and family protected every season. With Koala Health’s veterinarian-approved preventives and convenient refill options, staying on track is simple so your pet can stay healthy, comfortable and protected all winter long.