Of all the pesky and annoying things in the world, any dog or cat owner will tell you that fleas are near the top of their list.
Not only are fleas annoying, but they’re potentially harmful pests that can cause serious infections and health issues in your pet.
In this article, you’re going to learn about the environment fleas thrive in, exactly when flea season is, and the best ways to prepare so you can minimize the effects of this pest on you and your pets.
Let’s get started:
The Environment Fleas Thrive In
Outdoors
Outside, fleas are born to thrive and survive in warm environments. 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit and 75-85 percent humidity is the optimal temperature for flea reproduction.
They like hiding in grass, on flowers, on wild animals, and anywhere they can safely feed and lay their eggs.
In Your Home
Home temperatures provide the perfect environment for fleas to live in. Flea larvae love small, dark areas, such as the crevices around your home and the bottom of your carpeting.
In other words, they love the hardest-to-reach areas of your house.
Once they grow into adult fleas, they’re attracted to the light and come up to the surface to find a host to lay their eggs on.
In Winter Months
Yes, fleas can still survive in Winter. As long as they are warm enough and have food to keep them alive, they can survive for months and even years (fleas can survive for two months on just one blood meal). This is especially the case if they make it inside your home during these months.
Fleas that survive outside in the Winter months tend to attach themselves to a host and remain there until warmer weather arrives.
When Is Flea Season?
Is there really a flea season?
Flea “season” is simply a term for the time of the year when fleas are most active within a certain region. And it differs throughout the world.
Fleas typically need warmth in order to survive, to lay their eggs, and for those eggs to hatch. This is why colder climates tend to experience a very short flea season (or none at all).
Warmer, more temperate climates have a long flea season. In many regions, fleas are around for the entire year.
Here’s an excellent map of the United States that shows when fleas are most active in each state:
Source: Downtown Dog Rescue
If you don’t live in the U.S., simply do a Google search for when fleas are most active in your area.
8 Ways to Prepare for Flea Season
Depending on where you live and how long your flea season is, you’ll need to prepare for flea season before it arrives. This way, you won’t be caught off guard.
Getting rid of fleas is a long and arduous task, so prevention is the absolute best method to avoid the problem all together.
If you already have fleas in your home, here’s a detailed guide to getting rid of them: https://www.entirelypets.com/how-to-get-rid-of-fleas.html
Let’s break down some ways you can prepare for flea season:
1. Get Flea Medication For Your Pet
The best thing you can do to prepare for flea season is to buy and give your pet flea medication before the season begins.
If you’re in an area with a year-round flea season, buy a 12-month supply and give it to them every 12 months to avoid a break in usage that may leave your pet vulnerable. We also suggest getting a fast-acting remedy, just in case (Capstar is a good option).
2. Buy A Flea Spray
Flea sprays are handy for treating large areas for flea infestations. You can buy sprays for your home, for the backyard, and you can even make your own with household materials.
3. Make Sure Your Neighbors With Pets Know When Flea Season Is
Sometimes, even if you take all of the necessary precautions, your pet may still get fleas from hanging out with your neighbors’ pets or around their homes.
Make sure your neighbors know when flea season is and what they can do to prepare as well. This will help everyone in your neighborhood avoid spreading fleas unnecessarily.
4. Flea Collars
A flea collar is a nice, hassle-free way to prevent and kill fleas. Seresto makes an excellent collar for both dogs and cats that will prevent fleas from infesting your pet.
5. Buy A Fogger
A fogger is used to kill fleas in a specific room of your home. It fills the entire room (while you aren’t in it) to reach the hardest areas where fleas and flea larvae like to hide.
6. Buy Some Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous Earth is a natural remedy to kill fleas. It’s a non-toxic, powdery substance made of crushed fossils. The food-grade formula is harmless to animals and humans, and it’s one of the most effective substances at killing fleas and all kinds of insects.
7. Flea Shampoo
Flea shampoo is a specialized pet shampoo that contains insecticides that kill fleas on contact. It’s a quick remedy that’s easy to administer.
8. Topical Treatment
Finally, topical treatments can be very effective in killing and preventing flea infestations. K9 Advantix II (dogs) and Frontline GOLD (cats) are some of the most popular options.
To Wrap It Up
There is nothing fun about having a flea infestation and trying to get rid of them. So it’s always best to prepare for flea season before it arrives rather than to deal with it in the midst.
Now you know when flea season is and exactly how to prepare for it so you and your pets can avoid this problem once and for all.
About The Author:
Michael Karp is a content writer for EntirelyPets, an online store that sells thousands of pet supplies, supplements, treats, toys, and more.