Springtime always has pet parents thinking about flea and tick prevention. But by the time the weather warms up, fleas and ticks may already be feasting on dogs and cats and spreading disease. Learning why year-round pest protection is essential is the best way to get ahead of parasites that attack pets.
When to Start Flea and Tick Prevention
If you live in a region with cold winters, start flea and tick prevention no later than March, though veterinarians recommend protecting your pet year-round.
While fleas and ticks peak in the spring and summer, these pests get a head start when pets go unprotected on mild winter days. As regions see milder winters and earlier spring arrivals, reports of tick-borne diseases and flea infestations have been on the rise across the United States.
Why Use Flea and Tick Preventatives Year-Round?
Fleas and ticks become active when temperatures rise above freezing, at around 45 degrees Fahrenheit. They can emerge after even just one day of mild temperatures, including on an unseasonably warm winter day.
Fleas can also survive year-round inside your home, lurking in carpets, bedding, and other soft surfaces. Consider these facts:
- Fleas can live up to 100 days without a blood meal.
- Flea pupae can remain dormant for up to nine months.
- After a blood meal, a flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day, leading to an infestation any time of year.
A single flea hitchhiking indoors on a mild winter day can quickly become a household problem. Meanwhile, though ticks do not survive long indoors, they can emerge from dormancy on a mild winter day in search of a blood meal.
Does My Pet Need Flea and Tick Prevention If I Don’t See Pests?
By the time you notice a flea or tick on your pet or around your home, it is too late to prevent an infestation. Over 90% of fleas are in the egg, pupae, or larvae stage. A single flea, by the time you notice it, may have already laid hundreds of eggs.
Prevention is key to flea and tick control. Some preventatives work by repelling and killing pests, while others contain insect growth regulation hormones that prevent young insects from maturing and reproducing. Browse flea and tick prevention for dogs and flea and tick prevention for cats to find the right option for your pet.
How to Start Your Pet on Flea and Tick Prevention
If your dog or cat is over eight weeks old, you can begin using a flea and tick preventative. Most flea and tick prevention products are available over the counter. Choose a product that is suitable for your pet’s species and size, and apply it according to the package directions.
Need help choosing the best flea and tick preventative for your dog or cat? Have questions about protecting your pet against parasites? Shop flea and tick prevention on 1800PetMeds.com or make a same-day telehealth appointment with VetLive.
