Is Flea and Tick Treatment Necessary in Winter?

I use a monthly squeeze on tick and flea treatment on my Min Pin. My husband says I don't need to use it in the winter because the ground is frozen. I think I still need to use it because she could be exposed in other situations. Which of us is correct? (Bridget Werbin - Kansas)

While you are correct that freezing outdoor temperatures will reduce the ability of fleas and ticks to survive and reproduce, if any fleas are present in your home they will survive the winter indoors. In addition, juvenile fleas can survive in isolated protected micro-climates outdoors. Country-wide, it is believed that up to 15% of dogs are affected by fleas during the winter months. Therefore, to minimize the risk of infestation, I would recommend year-round treatment.