Think fleas and ticks disappear when the weather cools? Think again. These pests don’t pack up for fall and winter, especially when you live in a warmer area — they adapt, hide in warm spaces, and can still bite your pet year-round. The worst part? By the time you notice one, there may already be dozens more in your home. We’re sharing five surprising facts about fleas and ticks when temperatures drop — and how to keep your pet protected through every season.
One more thing: Enjoy an exclusive 25% off plus free shipping to protect your pack today. Use code YAY25 at checkout.
Believe it or not, pests don’t pack up for fall and winter, especially when you live in a warmer area. The worst part? By the time you notice one, there may already be dozens more in your home. We’re sharing five surprising facts about fleas and ticks when temperatures drop — and how to keep your pet protected through every season.
One more thing: Enjoy an exclusive 25% off plus free shipping to protect your pack today. Use code YAY25 at checkout.
1. Above 50°F? Fleas can breed 12 months a year
Cooler weather doesn’t mean flea season is over — especially in warm, humid regions. Even as fall settles in, fleas stay active well into the “cooler” months. They thrive in temperatures between 70–85°F, are still comfy in the 50°s, and can even survive in temps as low as 37°F when they find a cozy spot indoors or on your pet. For many U.S. states, that means flea season never really ends.
2. Mild, damp conditions fuel pest growth
While flea activity slows down post-summer, fleas can survive well into cooler temps — and ticks are more active than ever in the fall. Autumn showers can create the damp, humid conditions that flea larvae need to develop, and with moderate temps and added moisture, fall humidity lets fleas and ticks reproduce and spread easily.
Fleas can transmit tapeworms, cause anemia, and worsen skin irritations. Ticks can carry Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and other serious illnesses. That’s why staying vigilant, even in cooler months, is crucial.
2. Mild, damp conditions fuel pest growth
While flea activity slows down post-summer, fleas can survive well into cooler temps — and ticks are more active than ever in the fall. Autumn showers can create the damp, humid conditions that flea larvae need to develop, and with moderate temps and added moisture, fall humidity lets fleas and ticks reproduce and spread easily.
Fleas can transmit tapeworms, cause anemia, and worsen skin irritations. Ticks can carry Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and other serious illnesses. That’s why staying vigilant, even in cooler months, is crucial.
3. Thicker fall coats give fleas more places to hide and thrive
As pets grow their winter fur, the denser coat provides extra cover that makes adult fleas and even “flea dirt” harder to spot. A fuller coat can also reduce a pet’s ability to groom effectively, giving fleas more opportunities to feed and reproduce. On top of that, the insulation from a thick coat keeps fleas comfortably warm, creating the perfect environment for them to thrive — even as outdoor temperatures drop.
4. Ticks latch on so easily because of ‘questing’
Have you heard of ‘questing?’ It’s the mechanism ticks use to easily cling onto humans and their pets. ‘Questing’ is when a tick holds onto a plant with its back legs and reaches its front legs out, waiting to grab whoever strolls by. That’s right, ticks are literally WAITING for you in the woods. And this is why they’re so good at grabbing on.
4. Ticks latch on so easily because of ‘questing’
Have you heard of ‘questing?’ It’s the mechanism ticks use to easily cling onto humans and their pets. ‘Questing’ is when a tick holds onto a plant with its back legs and reaches its front legs out, waiting to grab whoever strolls by. That’s right, ticks are literally WAITING for you in the woods. And this is why they’re so good at grabbing on.
5. Most veterinary experts now say flea season is year-round
According to 2025 United States Findings by Merck Animal Health, vets are three times more likely than owners to define flea & tick season as year round. And, more than half see flea & tick-borne illnesses as a serious risk to pets. These findings highlight how easily we can underestimate pest risks at any time of year.
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