Many pet parents assume fleas and ticks disappear when the temperatures drop—but unfortunately, pests don’t take a winter vacation. If you stop preventive flea & tick care during winter, you may be giving these pests exactly what they need to thrive… right inside your home.
The Myth of “Winter Break” From Fleas & Ticks
One of the biggest misconceptions in pet care is the idea that fleas and ticks simply disappear once winter arrives. Many pet parents breathe a sigh of relief after the first frost, assuming pests have packed up and won’t return until spring. In fact, the colder months can create the perfect conditions for fleas and ticks to survive longer, hide better, and even multiply faster indoors.
Unfortunately… that’s not how nature works.
Fleas Don’t Die in Winter — They Move Indoors
It’s a myth that fleas stop bothering pets in cold weather. Fleas don’t die off—they adapt.
While outdoor activity may slow, fleas are experts at surviving in protected environments such as:
- Underground burrows
- Sheds, garages, and outbuildings
- Under decks and porches
- Around home foundations
- ANY sheltered area with even a little warmth
These microclimates protect fleas from freezing and allow them to continue breeding. Once temperatures rise even slightly, they emerge ready to jump onto the nearest pet—or human.
Contrary to popular belief, fleas are not only a “summer problem.”
Once temperatures drop outside, fleas do what we do: they seek warmth.
Here’s where they settle instead:
- Inside your home (carpets, blankets, pet beds, upholstery)
- On wildlife like squirrels, raccoons, and neighborhood strays
- In garages, under decks, or sheltered outdoor spots
A single flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day, and those eggs can hatch right in your pet’s favorite napping spot. That means the warm, cozy environment your pet enjoys during winter is also ideal for fleas to reproduce undetected, turning our homes into cozy incubators for flea eggs, larvae, and pupae. This is why winter often triggers indoor infestations even when outdoor flea activity appears to be low..
Stopping flea care in winter = giving fleas time to rebuild their population.
Ticks Stay Active Longer Than You Think
Ticks are tougher than they look. Some species remain active during cool weather, including:
- Deer ticks (black-legged ticks) — active at 40°F and above
- Brown dog ticks — can survive entirely indoors
- Lone star ticks — active well into fall and early winter
Holiday hikes, leaf piles, and wooded trails are all potential hotspots. If your dog is active outdoors in winter, ticks still pose a very real risk.
Even indoor pets aren’t exempt—ticks can latch onto humans, clothing, or other animals and transfer indoors.
Winter Skin = More Scratching (and More Confusion)
Dry winter air leads to itchy skin for many pets.
That means increased scratching—which can mask early signs of fleas.
Common symptoms of fleas that look like dry skin issues:
- Excessive licking
- Red patches
- Flakes or dandruff
- Hair loss on the back or tail
- Tiny scabs
This confusion often leads pet parents to pause flea care when they actually need it most.
To soothe winter skin while staying protected, TropiClean’s OxyMed Anti-Itch Solutions (pet wipes, pet shampoos, pet rinses, pet sprays) can help calm irritation while your flea regimen handles pests. Read our article titled "Why Is My Pet So Flaky? Understanding & Treating Cat and Dog Dandruff" to help you understand the difference between fleas and flakes.
Holiday Travel = New Exposure
The holiday season means more movement—not just for you, but for your pet. Whether you're traveling across the country, heading to a family gathering, visiting friends, or boarding your pet for a few days, winter travel can dramatically increase flea and tick exposure.
Even if your home is pest-free, the places you visit may not be.
Common Holiday Travel Hotspots for Fleas & Ticks
When your pet tags along, they may encounter pests in places you wouldn't expect:
-
Pet-friendly hotels and rentals
High turnover + frequent animal guests = increased risk of lingering fleas. -
Relatives’ homes with pets
Even well-loved pets may carry fleas without anyone realizing it. -
Dog parks and rest stops
Fleas can thrive in warm patches of grass or leaf piles where dogs frequently play. -
Boarding facilities and doggie daycares
One untreated pet can introduce fleas into the entire environment. -
Car rides with blankets or bedding from home
Flea eggs from earlier months may hatch with winter heating.
Travels often mean your pet is exploring new spaces, meeting new animals, and resting in unfamiliar bedding—all of which increase the risk of coming into contact with fleas or ticks.
Winter Travel Tip: High-Risk Doesn’t Always Look High-Risk
Cold weather gives a false sense of security. We assume pests can’t survive lower temperatures, but ticks remain active above 40°F, and fleas thrive indoors year-round.
That means:
❄️ A cozy guest room = the perfect flea nursery
❄️ A chilly hike = tick exposure waiting on leaf litter
❄️ A quick backyard potty break = contact with wildlife visitors
Even short visits can be enough time for fleas or ticks to catch a ride home.
Keeping Your Pet Protected While Traveling
Year-round protection is the best defense, and winter is no exception. Consistent grooming helps spot signs early, while products like TropiClean Flea & Tick Shampoos, TropiClean Flea + Tick Home + Dog Spray and TropiClean Natural Flea + Tick Home + Cat Spray help support pets who have encountered fleas or ticks during your travels.
A few simple steps go a long way:
- Inspect your pet after every outing
- Wash bedding or blankets used during travel
- Use flea & tick sprays on carriers or crates
- Keep preventive routines uninterrupted
Travel is fun. Fleas and ticks coming home with you? Not so much.
Consistency is key to ensuring your pet enjoys the holidays safely—and comes home pest-free.
Indoor Fleas Reproduce Faster in Winter
Winter heating systems warm your home just enough to accelerate flea development.
A flea life cycle that takes weeks in summer may speed up indoors because:
- There’s consistent warmth
- Pets spend more time inside
- Flea eggs drop onto carpets and fabrics (their favorite environment)
This creates a hidden infestation that may explode in early spring—simply because preventive care was paused too early.
How TropiClean Can Help Protect Your Pet Year-Round
To support your pet during winter, TropiClean offers gentle, effective solutions that help ease flea bite discomfort and keep skin healthy:
TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick Shampoos
Powered by essential oils, these formulas cleanse the coat while helping kill fleas, ticks, and larvae on contact. There's a formula made specifically for cats and for dogs.
TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick Sprays
Ideal for between-bath protection or for fabrics, bedding, and carriers, like this TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick Spray for Dogs and dog's bedding.
TropiClean Natural Flea + Tick Bite Relief Spray for Pets
Perfect for soothing irritated skin caused by bites or seasonal dryness.
TropiClean Waterless Pet Shampoos
Great for quick cleanups during cold weather when frequent baths aren’t ideal.
TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick Spray for Dogs
Formulated with a powerful blend of essential oils for use on your dog, bedding, kennels, and outdoor areas.
TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick Cat and Home Spray
Perfect for use on your cat, bedding, furniture, and throughout your home.
TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick Laundry Additive
This powerful formula kills fleas, ticks, larvae, and eggs on contact—right in your washing machine.
Year-round grooming also reduces excess fur and skin buildup, making it harder for pests to hide in thick winter coats.
The Bottom Line: Flea & Tick Protection Should Never Take a Holiday
Fleas and ticks don’t vanish when the temperature drops—they adapt.
And your pet’s warm indoor environment is exactly where they thrive.
By maintaining flea & tick care throughout the winter, you prevent:
✔️ Indoor infestations
✔️ Compounding spring outbreaks
✔️ Itchy, irritated skin
✔️ Costly treatments later
Consistent protection keeps your pet healthier, happier, and far more comfortable all year long. For more info on Pets' Fleas and Ticks read our article titled: Flea & Tick Season Survival Guide: Keeping Pets Protected Naturally.
Protect your pets and your home naturally with TropiClean Flea & Tick solutions for dogs and cats.