Ticks are bad this year, they seemed to be fine but three weeks ago they just seemed to have appeared out of no where. I use the seresto collars, they seem to work pretty good. I also get lyme shots for the dogs, certainly is not 100% but everything helps. I also do a few thigs for the kennel boxes and my yard. I also have a jar of rubbing alcohol in kennel to drop the ticks in i find. Winter/cold does not stop the ticks.