Living here in New Hampshire (and the Northeast, in general) many people have a misconception that fleas and ticks die off in the cold weather -- or hibernate until spring. And that's not exactly true! Add to that the fact that while it might be chilly right now, we certainly aren't experiencing the winters that we faced back in the 1970s or even the 80's. Since the early 1990's our winters have become increasingly warmer, wetter and without the hard freeze that we've always been known for.
Ticks can remain active in New England throughout the winter and into the spring, as long as temperatures don't drop below freezing for long periods of time. As much as we don't love these bugs, they are amazing little creatures who have mastered the ability to survive millions of years due to their durability and adaptability, such as:
Mild winters: Like mentioned above, climate change has led to milder winters, which can cause ticks to be active when they're usually dormant.
Attaching to hosts: Ticks can attach to deer, which are kept warm by the animal's body heat. Or they attach to your pet -- and then to a larger host, such as a person
Behavioral diapause: Ticks suspend questing to conserve energy and stay warm and hydrated
Fleas are even more rugged, because they are easily transferable into your home -- where they can not only survive, but flourish in the home environment! They can be hidden in their pre-adult stage called the pupa, which is encased by a cocoon. The pupa can survive for weeks in carpet fibers, furniture, and bedding. Fleas have the potential to be a year-round nuisance due to climate change, urban living, central indoor heating, and dormancy of pupae. And they can be incredibly difficult to get rid of, even with professional help.
This is why it is so important to use flea & tick prevention throughout the year here in New England. It is important to keep you and your pet protected, and there are a large variety of prevention products available in all price ranges; you can get products from your local dollar store, your local independent pet supply retailer -- or from larger chains, such as PETCO or PETSMART. And of course, Amazon has a plethora of products to choose from as well.
We want to see both you and your pet happy and healthy this winter season!
Comments