Ticks are the worst! They also turn out to be very hardy buggers. I was doing some reserch into how cold it has to be to start killing ticks and it’s gotta be pretty cold!
When Do Ticks Become Inactive?
Ticks slow down and become dormant when temperatures drop below 7°C. At this point, they stop actively seeking hosts, but they don’t die. Instead, they hide in leaf litter, soil, or under snow, waiting for warmer days.
What Temperature Actually Kills Ticks?
To kill ticks, you need sustained exposure to extreme cold:
- Below -12°C for several consecutive days can start killing ticks in natural outdoor conditions, but survival rates vary.
- In controlled environments, such as a freezer, temperatures below -20°C for at least 24 hours will kill most ticks.
So even with this recent cold snap keep checking for ticks to be safe, esspecially on your pets at this time of year!
