Spring in Minnesota means ticks, mosquitoes & thawed poop! Protect your dog with smart parasite prevention in the south metro.
Ah yes. Spring in Minnesota. The snow melts. The robins return. And your backyard reveals things you absolutely forgot about.
If you’re a dog parent this is your official reminder:
Spring doesn’t just bring patio season. It brings parasites.
Let’s break down what’s actually a risk in Minnesota (backed by science, not Facebook groups), and how to protect your dog before ticks and mosquitoes make themselves at home.
Why Parasites Spike During Minnesota’s Spring Thaw
When temperatures rise above freezing, parasite activity increases. In Minnesota, that means:
Ticks become active as soon as temps hit the mid-30s°F
Mosquitoes emerge with standing water
Intestinal parasite eggs preserved in frozen soil become accessible
According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), Minnesota consistently reports cases of tick-borne disease and heartworm.
Translation: yes, your suburban backyard counts as exposure.
The Big Spring Parasites in the Twin Cities South Metro
Ticks (They’re Back. They Never Really Left.)
Minnesota is well known for tick exposure, especially blacklegged ticks (deer ticks), which can transmit Lyme disease.
The Minnesota Department of Health tracks Lyme disease annually, and Minnesota continues to report significant case numbers each year.
Important facts:
Ticks can be active whenever temps are above freezing.
They live in wooded areas, tall grass, and yes — suburban green spaces.
Dogs can carry ticks into your home.
Prevention:
Use veterinarian-approved tick prevention.
Perform daily tick checks after walks.
Keep yard edges trimmed and leaf litter cleared.
Heartworm (All It Takes Is One Mosquito)
Heartworm disease spreads through mosquito bites.
The American Heartworm Society confirms heartworm has been diagnosed in all 50 states, including Minnesota.
Even though we aren’t Florida, cases absolutely occur here.
Heartworms:
Mature over several months.
Live in the heart and lungs.
Require expensive and difficult treatment.
Veterinary recommendation (& DDG requirement): year-round monthly prevention and annual testing.
Mosquitoes don’t care that you live in Lakeville instead of Louisiana.
Intestinal Parasites (The Spring Thaw Factor)
Now let’s talk about the part no one wants to discuss.
Winter in Minnesota makes regular yard cleanup… aspirational.
Once snow melts, what appears?
The Great Poop Reveal.
Here’s the real concern: feces left in yards over winter can contain parasite eggs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), certain intestinal parasite eggs can survive in soil and become infectious under the right environmental conditions.
When the ground thaws:
Dogs sniff and ingest contaminated soil
Rain spreads microscopic eggs through the yard
Exposure risk increases
Spring yard cleanup isn’t just about curb appeal in Rosemount. It’s parasite prevention.
(We may need to dedicate an entire future blog to “The Minnesota Spring Poop Crisis.” Stay tuned.)
Why This Matters for Daycare & Boarding Dogs
Dogs in social environments — like daycare and boarding — have more interaction with: 
Shared play spaces
Communal water bowls
Outdoor areas
Other dogs
That’s why parasite prevention is critical before attending daycare.
At Dog Day Getaway, we require appropriate health protocols because protecting the group protects everyone.
If your dog is joining us this spring from Apple Valley, Eagan, Burnsville, or surrounding communities, make sure:
Preventatives are current
Annual testing is up to date
Fecal exams are performed as recommended by your veterinarian
Bonus Spring Reality: Mud + Melt = Filthy Dogs
Let’s be honest.
Even if parasites weren’t a concern, Minnesota spring guarantees:
Mud
Mystery yard residue
Damp underbellies
That smell
And after rolling in thawed earth (or worse), a bath becomes less optional.
Regular bathing during spring helps:
Remove dirt and potential environmental contaminants
Reduce allergens
Let you check thoroughly for ticks
If you’re not interested in turning your bathroom into a swamp, this is your reminder that our Self Wash stations at Dog Day Getaway exist for exactly this reason.
Waist-high tubs. Professional-grade dryers. No plumbing disasters at home. Clean dog. Clean house. Fewer parasites hitchhiking inside.
Simple, Science-Backed Spring Parasite Prevention Checklist
✔ Monthly heartworm prevention
✔ Tick prevention (oral or topical)
✔ Annual heartworm testing
✔ Routine fecal exams
✔ Full spring yard cleanup
✔ Regular bathing & tick checks
Simple. Effective. Veterinarian-approved.
Spring Things & Beyond
Spring in the south metro should mean:
Long walks
Patio season
Playdates
Muddy paws
Not:
Heartworm treatment
Lyme disease
Intestinal parasites
Prevention is easier, cheaper, and far less dramatic than treatment.
If you’re preparing your dog for a safe, social, parasite-protected spring, we’re here to help.
Whether that’s:
Let’s make this spring about sunshine — not science experiments.