Anti-flea home cleaning tips that will prevent a flea infestation.

The spring and summer are the peak times of the year when animal owners will have to worry about the spectre of a flea infestation, but there is a lot more that pet parents will have to do around the home to keep their companions safe. While using topical drops, watching your canine closely and avoiding high-risk areas are great steps in the right direction, you'll still have to do your part to keep your home as clean as possible to prevent an infestation. Here are a few tips to keep in mind that may start to form the backbone of your seasonal anti-parasite regimen.

1. Treat your yard. Before you begin to pay attention to your home, eliminating parasites in your yard can keep your dog or cat safe when he or she is roaming around outdoors. Hartz® UltraGuard® Yard & Kennel Spray will treat an area up to 8,000 square feet and attaches directly to your hose. Use it on areas where your pet spends the majority of his time and you can effectively eliminate fleas and ticks from those areas. This will dramatically reduce the chances of these insects or their larvae making their way into your home.

2. Pay attention to windows. While vacuuming carpets and linens during the summer months is very important to prevent the spread of fleas, your windows can be a hotbed of activity. According to Straight.com, bugs can be drawn to the warmth emanating from a window, so ensure that your screens are in good shape and make an effort to clean out the track and ledge of the window regularly. If possible, try to keep the air conditioning on and the windows closed to avoid any insects from making their way indoors.

3. Steam-clean once per month. With the occasional messes that your dog or cat generate, investing in a steam cleaner is a must. This product has the added bonus of producing enough heat to kill fleas and their larvae, so using the cleaner on your carpets and other linens could be a great way to eliminate any traces of these pesky insects.

Flea season is a harrowing time for any pet parent, but there are many proactive steps you can take to prevent them and ensure that your furry friend is happy and comfortable all year long.