As a dog owner, I dread the return of spring, which brings with it a plethora of bugs, flies, and bothersome insects. In particular, ticks are the worst-these bloodsucking monsters have caused my dogs a lot of grief. What happens to them in winter-do they burrow into the ground (below the frost line)? Or do they just freeze solid into suspended animation?
The tick situation where I live (New England) is getting worse (as deer and other wildlife reclaim the woods).
They cling in crevices and other areas of some protection. I’ve found ticks on a warm day in January and February crawling on stuff outside or clinging to my clothes. All it takes is some heat and they become active. This is Wisconsin.
You probably know this but there are treatments now for dogs that are aimed just at ticks.
Mrs. Plant uses Frontline on her dogs. I get more ticks on me cutting the grass than they do. 
Actually, the ticks do get on them, but die, apparently rather quickly.