Start with a clean, flea-free pet. A good flea and tick shampoo kills the bloodsuckers on contact and leaves your pet with a clean, fresh coat.

Continue fighting fleas on your pet with topicals, collars and sprays. Look for products that kill adult fleas and contain an insect growth regulator (IGR) to keep immature fleas from becoming biting, breeding adults.

Most fleas are immature and live in your house before they become adults and attack your pet. Get 'em while they're young.

Clean up, mop up and vacuum to get rid of immature fleas and their food sources. Throwing away the vacuum bag after use is recommended.

Make sure you treat where your pet sleeps. Wash pet bedding regularly with detergent and dry on high heat.

Spray carpets, furniture, rugs and draperies with a premise spray that kills both adult and immature fleas.

Before fogging, remove furniture cushions and pillows to let the insecticide work thoroughly.

Fleas like to lurk outside, too. Treat your yard to minimize the fleas that hitch a ride inside on your pet.