anywhere from 18 days to 20 months, depending on

anywhere from 18 days to 20 months, depending on how hot and humid it is. They may also spend as little as 10 percent of their lives on your pet. Put the two together and you will realize that soon after you rid your pet of fleas, more of the little pests will hop onto its fur and you will be back to square one. The solution? Treat the home as well as the animal.

Begin with a thorough cleaning of the home, which will eliminate most eggs and adult fleas. Wash all pet bedding in hot, soapy water. Mop hard floors. Vacuum everywhere — carpets, upholstry, draperies, in corners and crevices. Seal the vacuum cleaner bag immediately in a plastic bag.

Once you start, don’t give up or you’ll lose ground! Vacuum and clean once a week until you begin to see results.

If you have a heavy infestation, apply an environmental insecticide after vacuuming. You can use a fogger “bomb” but a pump spray is better for all but extreme infestations, since it will allow you to apply insecticide only where your pet sleeps and plays. Don’t apply it to your pet! If you decide to use a pesticide, products containing “pyrethrins” are the safest. If they are misused, pesticides can sicken or kill your pet.

If you feel you must use a pesticidal product, whether it is a shampoo, dip, spray, powder or collar, always read the label and follow directions. Never use pesticides (including flea collars) on kittens and puppies, or old, sick, pregnant or heartworm-infected animals. And as a rule of thumb, use only one pesticide at a time on your pet.

On the same day you first vacuum and clean, shampoo your pet with a non-medicated product or mildly medicated "flea” shampoo to rid the pet of fleas. After that, use a flea comb (available in most pet supply stores) on a daily basis. Dip it in a dish of soapy water after each