Fleas and Ticks: 6 Ways to Win the Battle of the Bugs by:Tara Aronson

You've got cats or dogs, and now you've got fleas and ticks

. You've got kids, too. How do you get rid of the pests without harming the family?

These bugs are not only a nuisance, but their bites can cause irritation, serious allergies, and even diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever in people. These 6 less-toxic tricks will have your home itch-free in no time.

1. Comb constantly. Groom your cat or dog with a metal pet comb, available at pet stores. Focus your efforts on the neck and tail area. (Bugs like to hang out here because the pet can't scratch them off as easily.) Keep a bowl of hot soapy water nearby when you're grooming to drown the captured critters. (Ruthless enemies call for ruthless treatment.)

2. Bathe dogs daily. Until the infestation is under control, wash your dog each day using shampoo or dog soap (insecticide not required). It's the best way to get an infestation on a larger animal in check. Take the comb into the bath for an extra measure of bug catch-and-kill.

3. Wash bedding weekly. Launder washable pet bedding in hot water and bleach at least weekly to kill pests that may have taken up residence there.

4. Think (and apply) topically. Topical treatments such as fipronil and imidacloprid can be applied to an animal's skin in small amounts while wearing gloves. From there it spreads over the entire body of the pet and is effective for at least a month. Follow the label safety information closely.

5. Treat carpets, animal bedding, and other non-washables with less-toxic products. Wearing a dust mask and goggles, sprinkle diatomaceous earth (DE) on carpets, upholstered furniture, and pet bedding. (You can blow DE into cracks and crevices, too. Use a hand duster to apply a thin layer.)DE has little toxicity to humans and animals, but kills pests by absorbing the waxy coating on their bodies, causing dehydration and death. Other good less-toxic choices include borate-based carpet treatments and traps.

6. To prevent future flea infestations, keep your pet indoors, restrict your pet to a regular sleeping space so you can better focus your flea-busting efforts, and use washable pet bedding.

About the author

Tara has appeared in numerous magazine, newspaper and online articles featuring her lifestyle, organizing and cleaning expertise in addition to writing her twice-monthly column, Coming Clean in the San Francisco Chronicle. Tara is also regularly a guest expert on news, feature, and talk-show programs across the country. She most recently appeared on the "Rachael Ray" Daytime talk show Feb. 4, 2009, in New York City. Tara appeared as the guest expert on Human Lab: Laundry.

In addition, Tara also puts her well-tuned journalistic skills to use on the road, writing travel articles about her as frequent as possible road trips to venues across the United States and abroad. Tara is a proud mom to three who cleans and writes in West Los Angeles.

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