Munich. Tick activity despite night frost: ticks have always been known for their adaptability, but current observations show that these parasites remain active even at low temperatures and night frost. And thus in Germany and Austria all year round. Climate change is responsible for this.
An increased activity can be found from 4 ° C. Despite Harscher environmental influences such as night frost, ticks are active. “Ticks are active all year round and stab our pets. Field studies show that ticks are also active in the cold all year round. If the sun is shining in winter, ticks can now be found after frost,” says Prof. Dr. Christina Strube, university professor and director of the Tiho Hannover Institute for Parasitology at a live webinar for veterinarians from MSD animal health. “Due to climate change, don't know any more season”. The parasites also do not stop mud and water. According to Prof. Dr. Strube even had a location affected by flooding, here using the example of Hanover, after the water decline in winter 2023/2024 activities of ticks (1).
The year -round tick activity is not only evident in research, but also in veterinary practices. 75 percent of participating veterinarians from Germany and Austria in the webinar saw tick activity in their practice in the winter of 2024/2025. “Due to climate change, we have to adapt to the new circumstances. We need a new awareness. Christian Ebenböck, specialist practice for small animals Traunstein. In his practice, too, he notices increased tick activity in winter.
The majority of the pet owners have not yet been aware of the associated dangers. Regular tick control after walks with dogs is not enough. According to many veterinarians and current study situation (2) The suction time of ticks often exceeds over 80 hours until they are discovered. This period favors the transmission of diseases such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis or babesiosis. “It is extremely worrying when pet owners wait too long with the treatment. This can lead to a tick infestation not recognized in time and that serious illnesses in the animals remain undetected. The classic symptoms of a disease are often not immediately obvious,” explains the situation, “explains Simon Reinelt, Managing Director of the Viechdoctoral Practice from Leithaprodersdorf near Vienna.
Ticks are not only annoying parasites, but also a transmitter of dangerous diseases that can also fatal to dogs. Therefore, veterinarians recommend a complete protection. Climate change will continue to promote milder winter. And with it the year -round tick activity. In order to minimize the risk of tick bites and the transfer of diseases, experts recommend consistent protection throughout the year. This includes the year -round use of tick protection agents. To protect animals and humans.
Sources
1. Rapp J, Springer A, Strube C. Ixodes Ricinus Ticks Survive Flooding. Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2024 Nov; 15 (6): 102417. DOI: 10.1016/J.ttbdis.2024.102417. EPUB 2024 Nov 23. PMID: 39580961.
2nd results of a tick collector study: Julia Probst, Andrea Springer and Christina Strube. Parasite & Vector 2023; 16: 7.0