Key Takeaways
Fleas and ticks don’t reliably die off in winter — especially in areas with mild or fluctuating temperatures. Fleas can survive indoors for months, and ticks may remain active whenever temperatures rise above about 40°F. That’s why veterinarians often recommend year-round flea and tick prevention to protect dogs and cats from infestations and disease.

Table of Contents
First Things First: What’s the Difference Between Fleas & Ticks?
Do Fleas & Ticks Go Away in Winter?
When Is Flea Season for Dogs & Cats?
Why Year-Round Flea & Tick Prevention Is Best
What Happens If I Skip Flea & Tick Prevention for a Few Months?
Signs Your Pet May Already Have Fleas or Ticks
How to Prevent Fleas & Ticks Year-Round
How to Get Rid of Fleas & Ticks in Your House
Recommendation for Fort Mill Pet Owners

Many pet owners assume that fleas and ticks disappear once cold weather arrives – but do fleas and ticks really die in the winter? The short answer: not reliably. 

In our area, fleas and ticks can survive well beyond the warmer months, which is why veterinarians often recommend year-round flea and tick prevention for dogs and cats. Understanding how these pests behave – and why winter doesn’t stop them – can help protect your pet from discomfort, infestation, and disease.

First Things First: What’s the Difference Between Fleas & Ticks?

Before diving into seasonal activity, it helps to understand the difference between a flea and a tick – because they behave differently, cause different problems, and winter affects them in different ways. But there’s one important thing in common: both are far easier to prevent than to eliminate once they’ve become a problem. 

Fleas

  • Small, fast-moving insects that jump from host to host
  • Feed on blood and commonly cause itching, skin irritation, and allergic reactions
  • Reproduce quickly and can survive indoors

Ticks

  • Crawl onto pets from grass, shrubs, or wildlife and attach to the skin
  • Feed on blood and can transmit disease through a single bite
  • Less noticeable at first, especially in long-haired pets

Do Fleas & Ticks Go Away in Winter?

Because our winters aren’t consistently cold for long stretches, flea and tick activity may slow down at times, but it doesn’t disappear. 

  • Fleas don’t need the outdoors to survive

    Fleas can continue their life cycle inside your home, where it stays warm and protected. Even when you’re not seeing fleas on your pet, fleas can still be present in the environment – especially in carpets, pet bedding, and furniture. Some flea stages can also remain inactive for extended periods and “re-emerge” when conditions are right, which is why infestations can seem to appear suddenly.

  • Ticks can still be active on mild winter days

    Ticks don’t necessarily shut down in winter. Many ticks become active whenever temperatures rise above about 40°F, which means a warm stretch of days can be enough for ticks to start looking for a host again. If your pet is walking through grass, brush, or leaf litter, exposure is still possible – even in winter.

When Is Flea & Tick Season for Dogs & Cats?

Pet owners often ask about flea season for dogs and cats, and whether there’s a true “tick season.” While flea and tick activity does tend to increase during warmer months, the idea of a short, clearly defined season can be misleading.

  • Flea “season” often lasts longer than expected

    Fleas typically surge in warm, humid weather, but that doesn’t mean they disappear in winter. Once fleas enter your home, indoor warmth can allow them to survive and persist well beyond the outdoor season. Even pets that spend most of their time indoors can be exposed if fleas are brought inside on people, other pets, or visiting animals.

  • Tick activity comes in peaks, not a single season

    Ticks often have peak activity in spring and fall, but they don’t truly go away the rest of the year. Mild winter days and warmer stretches can still bring exposure risk. Ticks can also shelter in leaf litter and brush, then re-emerge when conditions improve.

Gloved hands parting the fur on a cat’s neck to apply a topical flea treatment.

Why Year-Round Flea & Tick Prevention Is Best

Vets recommend year-round flea and tick prevention for one simple reason: consistency protects pets better than seasonal treatment.

Fleas and ticks don’t follow a predictable schedule, and their life cycles aren’t reset by short periods of cold weather. When prevention is used continuously, it helps interrupt those life cycles and reduces the chance that parasites can establish themselves on your pet or in your home.

Using preventatives only during part of the year can leave gaps in protection. Even if exposure risk seems low, those gaps give fleas and ticks an opportunity to return – often before any signs are noticeable. Consistent, year-round use helps maintain steady protection through seasonal changes and temperature swings.

What Happens If I Skip Flea & Tick Prevention for a Few Months?

This is a common question, especially during winter. The concern isn’t that problems will appear immediately – it’s that fleas and ticks can rebound quickly once conditions are right.

Flea populations can begin rebuilding long before you notice scratching or irritation, making infestations harder to control later. With ticks, the risk is different but just as important: a single tick bite can transmit disease, and exposure doesn’t require prolonged outdoor activity or peak season conditions.

Restarting prevention after a break doesn’t undo exposure that may have already occurred. That’s why skipping a few months can end up leading to more effort, more expense, and more discomfort for your pet than staying consistent year-round.

Signs Your Pet May Already Have Fleas or Ticks

Fleas and ticks aren’t always easy to spot right away. Even if you haven’t seen pests on your pet, certain changes can signal a possible problem.

Common signs to watch for include:

  • Persistent scratching, biting, or licking
  • Hair loss or thinning patches of fur
  • Red, irritated skin or hot spots
  • Flea dirt (small black specks in the coat that resemble pepper)
  • Visible ticks attached to the skin, often around the ears, neck, or between toes
  • Skin infections caused by ongoing irritation

If you notice any of these signs, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Early treatment can help prevent the problem from spreading and reduce discomfort for your pet.

The Best Way to Prevent Fleas & Ticks Year-Round

Along with continuous flea and tick prevention, a few simple habits can help reduce exposure:

  • Do quick tick checks after walks or outdoor time
    Especially around the ears, collar area, armpits, and toes
  • Wash pet bedding regularly and vacuum as needed
    Particularly if you’ve dealt with fleas before
  • Keep yards maintained
    Reduce tall grass, brush, and leaf litter where ticks hide
  • Use vet-approved products only
    Some over-the-counter options are less effective, and some can be unsafe (especially for cats)

How to Get Rid of Fleas & Ticks in Your House

If you’re dealing with an active flea or tick problem, getting rid of pests in your home requires treating both your pet and the environment at the same time. Focusing on just one usually isn’t enough. If you aren’t sure where to start, we can help you create a safe, effective plan for both your pet and your home.

Start with your pet

  • Put all pets in the home on vet-recommended flea and tick prevention
  • Continue prevention consistently to stop new parasites from hitchhiking indoors
  • Follow your veterinarian’s guidance if active fleas or ticks are found

Clean and treat the home environment

  • Wash pet bedding, blankets, and soft toys in hot water
  • Vacuum carpets, rugs, furniture, baseboards, and cracks thoroughly
  • Empty or discard vacuum contents immediately after cleaning
  • Pay special attention to areas where pets rest or sleep

Be cautious with home treatments

  • Some sprays, foggers, and over-the-counter products are ineffective or unsafe
  • Avoid mixing products or using treatments not labeled for your specific pets
  • In heavy infestations, professional pest control may be recommended – alongside veterinary care

Recommendation for Fort Mill Pet Owners

In the Fort Mill area, mild winters and temperature swings can allow fleas and ticks to stay active longer than many pet owners expect. Add in our local wildlife and year-round outdoor activity, and it’s easy for parasites to be reintroduced even when pests aren’t obvious.

Schedule a visit to discuss year-round flea and tick prevention as part of your pet’s wellness and preventative care, or contact Fort Mill Animal Hospital with questions.