How vigilant do you need to be in the winter to protect your pet against fleas ticks, and the diseases they carry? These blood-sucking vermin prefer the warmer months of the year, and mostly disappear during a cold winter. However, there are circumstances in which fleas and ticks can still be a problem in the colder months. To understand why, you need to understand the basics of the life cycles of fleas and ticks:

1. Fleas

Life cycle basics

The flea has four life-cycle stages, which include the adult fleas, eggs, larvae, and pupae that are enclosed in a protective cocoon. Only the adult flea lives on your pet - the other stages are all found on the ground in the environment (including inside the house).

 

What happens to fleas in the winter?

The first 3 life cycle stages (adults, eggs and larvae) do not survive well in cold temperatures and will likely die, unless the fleas have successfully bred indoors: they will happily survive over winter in a cozily heated home.

If the cocooned pupae are tucked away somewhere relatively safe from the cold (e.g. under leaves, or your furniture) they will wait out the winter and re-emerge as adult fleas once the weather gets warm again.

2. Ticks

Life cycle basics

Ticks can live much longer than fleas, with the life cycle sometimes taking from 2-4 years to complete. Because of this, ticks have a diverse array of tactics for surviving the winter. Ticks have 4 life cycle stages: adults, eggs, larvae and nymphs.

 

What happens to ticks in the winter?

If the tick (as an adult, larvae or nymph) is attached to an animal (your pet, or wildlife) over winter, it can survive quite well protected by the cozy fur coat.

If the eggs have been deposited somewhere safe from the cold (under leaf litter, under your furniture) they can also survive the winter.

For some ticks, the larvae and adult females can go into a tick version of ‘hibernation’ and ‘sleep’ through the winter, reemerging once the weather improves.

Some ticks can even survive the winter in burrows – but these ticks generally do not latch onto dogs.

So, fleas and ticks can survive inside your home over winter. If you had an especially bad flea or tick season in the warmer months of the preceding year, it is worth being vigilant over the winter as you may still have them inside the house.

Outside the house, ticks are unlikely to be very active. However it is still possible - especially in a warmer winter and if there is a lot of wildlife about.

Your dog is itching, scratching, and all-around miserable.

It’s something no pet owner wants to deal with, but unfortunately fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes are a constant problem.

Don’t jump straight for the nuclear option just yet, though: flea collars, sprays, and other chemicals can kill these bugs, but these solutions are loaded with pesticides and neurotoxins that pose a serious risk to yourself, your pet, and your loved ones.

Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes can carry a variety of diseases. In addition to being a nuisance, they can be a serious danger to doggie health.

It’s important to make sure no nasty critters are making themselves at home on your pet, but that's easier said than done. Dealing with them can be a huge pain.

When you find ticks, mosquito bites, or a flea rash on your dog, act sooner rather than later.  Even better, take preventative measures to keep the bugs at bay.

You might not know it, but there are plenty of natural fixes for the pests that annoy and endanger our pets. Leave collars and sprays as a last resort, and hold off on exposing yourself and your pet to dangerous toxins and chemicals.

If you're interested in all-natural, chemical-free remedies for your dog's pest problems, sometimes you need to look no further than your own kitchen. Take a look at these simple, natural alternatives to keep your dog happy and healthy:

Open up your pantry and grab some apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is a great way to boost your pup's blood acidity, which will keep away any would-be bloodsuckers who might also be carrying blood-borne diseases. Fleas also can't stand the smell!

While on the subject of smell, anise is also a well-known flea repellent. Just like apple cider vinegar, fleas hate the smell of the stuff – even though it smells quite pleasant to pets and people. If your dog eats anise regularly, it may help prevent infestations, and can keep fleas from biting.

Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1 is another potent, natural remedy to your puppy’s pests. When your dog has thiamine in his or her system, they'll enjoy a natural sulfur boost, which is toxic not just to fleas, but ticks and mosquitoes as well. While naturally toxic to these bugs, it's completely safe for your dog and for you.

Why not combine what mother nature has to offer? Guardian's Choice Natural Flea & Tick Deterrent Chews provide a variety of naturally-occurring flea, tick, and mosquito repellents, including thiamine, anise, and apple cider vinegar ­– all in an easy-to-eat, effective, and delicious package!

Flea collars and sprays are toxic and full of pesticides and other chemicals. While they're still the most efficient and effective method of flea, tick, and mosquito repellant, they don't have to be the first line of defense against these pests.

Before going straight for chemicals and exposing yourself and your pet to pesticides, go on defense with GCP Natural Flea & Tick Deterrent chews.

A steady intake of natural deterrent might prevent needing to pull out the collar altogether.

While not a cure-all, GCP flea deterrent is an effective first line of defense.

Give your dog an edge against fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes with a steady intake of all-natural deterrent, made safe for pets and humans alike.

Take steps to prevent pest problems before they happen, and leave the toxins for an absolute last resort.

Lawrence and Matt founded Guardian’s Choice Pet to provide premium, natural pet care products that are healthy for pets and safe for people.

When we started a pet products retail company, we were dismayed when we discovered just how little care pet product manufacturers were actually putting into their products. Tick and flea products were the worst of the bunch. We learned that when our kids and other family members play with our pets, they’re being exposed to toxic pesticides and other chemicals.

According to a study conducted by the National Resource Defense Council, residue levels produced by many flea collars are so high that they pose a risk of cancer and damage to the neurological system of children.

Our soft chew is an all-natural supplement that successfully deters fleas, ticks and mosquitoes without additives, binders, fillers, sugars, chemicals or pesticides. We never include ingredients that can lead to severe allergic reactions in pets, such as geranium, lavender, pennyroyal oil and eucalyptus.

Guardians Choice Pet Natural Flea Deterrent is a chemical-free solution to fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.