Maybe you’ve just finished picking off every little pest from your pet, but ticks and fleas are persistent creatures. They’re likely to still be living and breeding around your home. Even when you completely free your dog or cat of them, the little bugs lay eggs and move around your carpets, cupboards, beds, and even your clothes. It’s wise to get ahead of the problem and target them in your entire living space. Check out this list of things to be proactive about for flea and tick prevention:

1. Floors
Get your vacuum out and use it on carpets, rugs, and in all the corners of your house. These little pests live and multiply in places where your pets like to sleep. Also, ensure that every nook and cranny is well-vacuumed, especially the areas that don’t get a lot of direct sunlight. Once you’re done, tightly seal and dispose off the vacuum bag (use a disposable one if you can). This is important because ticks and fleas can survive and lay eggs inside them too. To clamp down effectively on the infestation, you’ll need to do this more than just once. Depending on how severe infestation is, you must vacuum thoroughly for 10 days to a month.
The damage isn’t over after that. After each vacuum attack on the infestation, keep your eyes open for signs of fleas too. You’ll have flea feces and blood in places where your pet likes to sit. Appearing as small black specks, these residues serve as food for flea larvae. Remove as much as you can find to decrease the chances of reinfestation.

2. Clothes
Cuddling with your pets can transfer a bug to you, and you’re more likely to find fleas rather than ticks in your clothes. The most effective way to rid yourself of them and their eggs is by washing your clothes with bleach. Mix diluted or chlorine bleach with hot water and run your clothes through it in the washer for as long as you can. Can’t use bleach? Pick a detergent with antimicrobial action or pine oil. These will kill the pests for sure. Further, while your flea and tick prevention strategy is going on, wear lighter-colors so that you can spot any surviving fleas on yourself.

3. Bed and bedroom
If your dog sleeps next to you at night, that’s where you’ll need to focus for effective flea and tick prevention. Send all bed sheets, blankets, and pillows for dry cleaning. To be on the safe side, send your towels and curtains as well.

4. Yard
Got a little outdoor garden or yard? That’s likely where the infestation took root. Ticks and fleas lurk in tall grasses, weeds, and even woodpiles and debris you have lying outside. Maintain a mowed, clean, and uncluttered lawn so that its a flea and tick-free zone for your pets. Also, it’s good to keep a little space around your grass to prevent further transfer of little bugs from outside. A three-foot boundary should do it!