Did you know that winter is one of the worst times for fleas in Australia?
Vet clinics are full of parasite cases because many pet-owners think these nasties simply “disappear” during winter and stop protecting their pets.
Sadly, these parasites don’t just disappear when it gets cold …or board a cruise ship to the Bahamas.
Instead, they find the next best thing – your pet’s fur and bed. It’s warm there, and like a cruise ship, includes an endless buffet of food. That food is your pet.
In winter, Fleas use your home to breed.
It’s lovely waking up to a warm heated home in winter, but consider the environment you’re creating.
It’s not just your dog or cat’s bed, like most parasites, fleas are attracted to the warmth and your home can quickly become the perfect place for breeding.
Your home can quickly become a breeding ground.
A single Flea outbreak in winter can take months to stop.
That’s because around 95% of any flea infestation is made up of eggs and immature developing fleas, not the adults. These eggs usually live in carpets, furniture and other warm places like your mattress.
Fleas are also quite happy to live in temperatures over 8 degrees, so freezing them out is also impossible in Australia. An adult female flea can also lay up to 50 eggs per day.
Once you get a flea outbreak, it can take up to 3-month to stop the cycle!
At this stage, you might want to consider that Bahamas cruise ship. Just be sure to burn all of your clothes and take a chemical bath before boarding the ship to not take the outbreak with you.
Flea & Worming delivered by Aussie Vets, for less than $1 a day.
How do you prevent Fleas in your home this winter?
Luckily for us, only ADULT fleas infest dogs and cats.
This means, that if you keep up your pet’s parasite-protection during winter (for fleas and other parasites like mites), you can avoid them breeding – and avoid an outbreak.
That’s why protecting your pet year-round is so important.
How common are Flea outbreaks in winter?
As a Vet I would estimate that around 30% of all untreated pets (and homes) are affected by Fleas in winter. They need to go somewhere after all. Other Australian clinics cite figures like 65% of untreated cats, and 47% of untreated dogs show signs of fleas during the winter month.
Yet, more than 20% of pet owners stop treating their pets in winter thinking they’re in the clear. It’s a terrible Australian misconception. Fleas and other parasites survive EU, UK and US winters. Our winters pale in comparison. Fleas aren’t going anywhere except into warm homes!
Ticks and mites share similar winter traits too, and that’s why a comprehensive plan matters. We’d recommend FleaMail as it’s super simple, affordable and delivered to your door each month when due.
But if you’d prefer to use another plan, please keep their protection up.
