When Is Flea & Tick Season in Your State?
State Fairs, White Water Rafting, Hamburgers and Ice Creams sum up summers for many people in the country. For dog or cat parents, the definition of summer or warmer months changes a bit as the temperature and atmosphere call for special attention to flea and tick attacks. It is true to believe that these parasites are most active during warmer days but the fact is they do not disappear in other seasons.
So, which season exactly is flea and tick season? This blog addresses this and similar other queries from pet parents in the country. Read through to learn more.
Ideal Conditions for Fleas & Ticks
Regions with increased humidity levels, between 50 and 90% are ideal for fleas and ticks. They favor warm weather and are less active in colder times of the year. These parasites thrive in temperatures that are 70°F or higher. It’s worth knowing that adult fleas can stay in the cocoon for up to five months. Whereas flea eggs, larvae, and pupae remain alive throughout the year. Ticks too have been known to survive for months of freezing temperatures.
Know Your State’s Flea & Tick Season
Considering the ideal thriving conditions, the flea and tick season begins in mid-to-late spring in a few states of the United States and picks up throughout the nation during the fall.
Let’s understand when fleas and ticks are most effective across the United States.
Northeastern Region
New York, New Jersey, Maine, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New Hampshire are some of the major states affected by fleas and ticks in the region. These parasites are most active from June to August and thrive during this period of the year.
Southeastern Region
States including Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and North & South Carolina have relatively less warm summers and springs. The flea and tick season runs from March to December in this part of the USA.
Northwestern Region
Fleas and ticks can be a year-round threat in this region, especially during spring, summer, and fall. Regional states such as Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming see the beginning of the season from March until October.
Southwestern Region
Commonly, fleas and ticks are most active during spring and early autumn in this part of the USA, roughly from May to September. Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of California, Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas, Nevada, etc are the affected states in the region.
Midwestern Region
Increased temperatures and humidity levels in this region featuring states including Missouri, Kansas, Minnesota, Indiana, etc are ideal for fleas and ticks. The season in this part begins in late April and lasts till early October.
State-by-State Speculation of Flea & Tick Season
The table below showcases the state-wise tentative beginning of flea and tick season in the United States of America:
USA States Flea & Tick Season Map
No State is Immune
As we know, fleas and ticks prefer warmer climates but do not vanish in low temperatures as their cocoons remain dormant during colder times. Considering the climatic conditions of every state, it is not unfair to say that every other state in the country is more or less populated with fleas and ticks; and some states are at mild risk of infestation, whereas some have moderate to severe risk of infestation.
There’s No Best Time to Start Flea & Tick Treatment
Since we’ve discovered that fleas and ticks are a year-round threat, there should be no pausing when it comes to giving your pets their required flea and tick treatment and/or preventives. If there’s a persistent threat of infestation, the protection must be uninterrupted too. So, a wise pet parent would continue with the flea and tick treatments throughout the year.
Every Season is Flea & Tick Season
To conclude, summer and spring are ideal for fleas and ticks. Although these blood-sucking parasites like warm weather, colder months of the year do not immune pets against the havoc created by these parasites. Therefore, it’s recommended to continue treating pets with flea and tick treatment all year around.
