Getting rid of a flea infestation starts with proper home care and other long-term changes.

Responsible dog owners know that their companions need to be treated against fleas and ticks 12 months out of the year to prevent the chances of a flea infestation. However, if you have become a bit lax with your prevention standards and are now experiencing the beginnings of a flea infestation in your home, there are steps you can take to nip the problem in the bud from the get-go. Here are a few ways to get started.

1. Flea shampoo. According to CalhounTimes.com, flea shampoo is one of your best allies in treating a flea infestation, but it should only be used once or twice a month. Typically, these products contain harsh ingredients that can harm an animal's skin if used too frequently, so you may want to opt for a safer formula like Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo. This product is made with coconut extract to make it safer for a dog's sensitive skin, and it will kill fleas at any stage of their life cycle and keep them from coming back for up to one month after infestation first occurs.

2. Treat trouble spots. If there are certain areas in your home where your dog spends a majority of his time, it may be wise to spray these areas with Hartz® UltraGuard Plus™ Flea & Tick Home Spray. This product is meant for carpets, upholstery and linens and can kill fleas, ticks and their larvae on contact. The product also makes use of an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR), which inhibits the flea life cycle and prevents them from reproducing. This can keep these insects at bay for seven months and give you time to perform a full-scale cleaning.

3. Vacuum! One of the most important steps in treating a flea infestation and preventing one in the future is by vacuuming your home from top to bottom. This will help you remove any fleas, ticks, eggs and larvae that may still be remaining and can stop these parasites from hanging around your home any longer. Performing a major cleaning once every month after a flea infestation is a good practice that can stop those bugs from coming back!

Having to deal with a flea infestation is a major challenge for any dog owner, but there is a wide variety of Hartz products and a few lifestyle changes that can make a big difference. After going through all this trouble, you may never miss a monthly flea treatment ever again!