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Out of all the unsightly critters that can infest your home, fleas are some of the worst. Sure, cockroaches, termites, and mice aren’t welcome visitors by any means, but if your house has ever been attacked by fleas, you know how destructive these little pests can be. Not only do these parasites latch onto pets, but they also attack humans, leaving big, itchy welts that can last for months.

For pets, though, the side effects don’t just stop at skin irritation. “Some pets even develop an allergy or hypersensitivity to flea saliva and a severe immune-mediated reaction with very itchy skin, painful wounds, inflammation, and even areas of secondary skin infections and hair loss,” says Dr. Paola Cuevas Moreno, a veterinarian and animal behaviorist with Hepper.com. “Moreover, dogs and cats that accidentally ingest fleas while scratching with their mouths are at risk of getting infected with intestinal tapeworms. So, a flea problem needs to be dealt with as soon as possible!”

If these unwanted insects have taken over your home and you’re searching for the most efficient and effective way to abolish them, we’re sharing all the best tips and tricks on how to get rid of fleas once and for all, according to a panel of veterinarians.

How to get rid of fleas.

Unfortunately, fleas have a 90-day life cycle, which means you’ll probably have to treat your entire house and yard two or three times (or, in some cases, even more). If that sounds excessive, Jamie Whittenburg, veterinarian at SeniorTailWaggers.com and director of Kingsgate Animal Hospital in Texas, explains that your flea population is likely far more widespread than you realize, even if you’ve only spotted a few on your dog or cat. “The live, adult fleas that you see on your pet are only five percent of the total flea population,” she shares. “The other 95 percent are immature stages (eggs, larvae, and nymphs). Frighteningly, an adult female flea can lay 2,000 eggs a day.”

Since fleas run rampant and reproduce at a lightning-fast rate, getting rid of them requires an extensive treatment plan that targets both your pets and your house, which can take weeks or even months. While you can always hire an exterminator to tackle the infestation, taking on the task yourself is a more affordable alternative that relies on less chemicals.

Treat your pets.

Wash your pets with an anti-flea shampoo from your vet or a vet-approved brand, starting at the head and working your way down. Spend a little extra time scrubbing the face and neck, behind the legs, in front of the tail, and around the groin area, which is where fleas tend to nest. Depending on the instructions, you may need to let the shampoo sit or repeat the cycle a few times.

While the product sits, brush your pet’s fur with a flea comb. “These combs have long, tiny teeth where fleas get trapped,” Dr. Cuevas Moreno explains. “By combing around your pet’s neck and tail, you’ll collect the eggs or adult fleas.” After snatching up the bugs from your pet’s coat, submerge the comb in hot, soapy water to trap and kill them. “This requires technique and speed, as fleas can jump very fast,” she notes.

Once your pet is dry, apply a prescription flea treatment (not an over-the-counter option, which Dr. Chyrle Bonk, a veterinarian with ExcitedCats.com, says is less effective). While these flea treatments come in all forms, Dr. Cuevas Moreno prefers a liquid spray, because it starts working on day one, lasts for up to a month, and can also target ticks.

Treat your house.

Once you’ve eradicated all the fleas on your animals, you’ll treat your home next. First, wash all your soft goods, such as rugs, blankets, pillows, pet beds, and your own bedding, in hot water in the washing machine and dry them on high heat, which will kill any fleas that have hidden in the fabric. For extra caution, Dr. Debra Eldredge, a veterinarian at Cat World and author of the popular Cat Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook, recommends washing every fabric-based item with flea shampoo.

Afterwards, you’ll vacuum your floors and upholstery, paying close attention to the cracks and crevices between the floorboards and around the baseboards and any hard-to-reach areas underneath your furniture. Once you’re finished, head outside to empty the vacuum’s contents into a plastic bag, seal it tightly, and place it in a garbage can. To make sure no fleas are left behind, scrub every inch of your home with soap and water, especially the spots where your pets hang out the most. The same thing applies to your yard: “Vacuum and steam clean every possible surface on a patio,” Dr. Cuevas Moreno says.

How to prevent fleas from coming back.

While the measures described above could prevent fleas from ever returning (especially if you use a vet-approved flea treatment and preventative product), if your yard has an infestation, the pesky parasites might invade again. But instead of applying pesticides, which can kill bees and other helpful insects, follow the expert-approved methods below.

Keep your yard tidy.

Fleas love hiding out in places that are dark, damp, and warm, so let more sunlight enter your yard by sweeping up any leaves and debris, bagging up the potentially infected foliage, and throwing it away. Tall grass is another nesting place for fleas, so make sure to mow your lawn regularly.

Apply natural repellents.

Flees tend to gather around trees, beneath bushes, within flower beds, and along the perimeter of your yard, so you’ll want to pay special attention to those areas to prevent fleas from returning. Use natural repellents to quash them without destroying other insects in the process. Dr. Bo A. Brock, a veterinarian at the Brock Veterinary Clinic, suggests garlic cloves, rosemary oil, or cedar chips.

Grow naturally deterring plants.

Some plants, especially fragrant herbs like catnip, rosemary, sage, and thyme, have powerful flea-repelling tendencies that you can use to your advantage. Consider planting them around the entrance, foundation, and windows of your home to help drive (and keep) flees away.

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