If you’ve dealt with fleas or ticks at some point in your life, then you know that getting rid of such pests is not an easy task. Fleas can be annoying pests, and they are almost acrobatic; so, they can move around easily and affect many areas, such as your home, furniture, and garden.

Knowing how to keep pests away from your home in the first place is imperative, because infestations may take many months to be brought under control. When you have a pet, they can bring home fleas from outside, but this amounts to only about five percent of the infestations. The remaining 95 percent can be attributed to the eggs, cocoons, and larvae that are spread all over the house. Here are some effective ways of keeping fleas or ticks out of your house:

• Vacuuming mattresses and upholstery is one of the most important tips for getting rid of fleas and ticks effectively. Fleas will typically hide in tight spaces and cracks, because these are safe places to store their eggs. So, it is best to use vacuums with bags so that you can dispose the eggs or larvae without having to touch them. A steam cleaner can be a good option for cleaning the upholstery and carpets, as the heat will help eradicate the fleas, no matter what stage of life they are in. The usual areas are the warm spots where your pet likes to lie down on.
• It is a good practice to wash the bedding, including that of your pets, in hot water, to get rid of all kinds of infestations.
• Using chemical treatments like aerosols is recommended, and you may use these under beds and in constricted spaces. It is advisable to use insecticides that are capable of eliminating even adult fleas. You may use insect growth regulators like methoprene for getting rid of the eggs and larvae.
• As far as your garden is concerned, you must be thorough in your efforts, because this is where most fleas might hide. You need to first spot the hot and humid places in your yard, where fleas will prefer hiding. When you have found these, you can start mowing the lawn to make sure that the surfaces are regularly raked. Fleas will always hide inside tall grass, and mowing helps prevent this.
• You must always remove debris, such as dried twigs and dead leaves from under bushes so that fleas cannot thrive there.
• You may spread cedar chips (they help with insect control) over places where your pet prefers to lie down, like on flower beds or beneath the bushes.
• You can also get nematodes, which are basically worms that feed on parasite eggs. They can help control flea growth.
• You must be mindful of feeding feral animals in your house, as they can bring in fleas.
• A good way to prevent the spread of ticks and fleas at home is to use a flea comb every time your pet returns after a walk. If you have a pet with long hair, then you can consider getting their hair shaved in summer to identify problem areas faster.
• Keeping your home clean is the best way to keep fleas and ticks away. Fleas will not be found in areas that are regularly cleaned and sprayed. You should invest in good-quality flea removal products.