A flea infestation is an occurrence that almost all pet owners will have experienced at one time or another. No matter what precautions you take to prevent the outbreak of fleas the pesky invaders can do a pretty good job of evading any defences you put up. This is what makes a first-time flea infestation so frustrating, despite your best efforts, all of a sudden, your dog and home seem to be covered in flea and ticks.

When this does happen it’s important to remember that it’s no one’s fault. The fleas could have made it onto your pet purely from them playing in your own back garden, and how they got there is anyone's guess. Wild animals coming to check out your garden is just one explanation, and completely guarding your dog against fleas is almost impossible.

However what is in your control is how you tackle the issue once you’ve identified the outbreak. There are a number of popular treatments available, however, the fact these are all advertised in similar ways can also cause confusion, especially if this is your first time combating fleas. To make the process as straightforward as possible we lay out our three top tips below so you can begin the fight back immediately.

Purchase Specialist Products - Now this seem an obvious point to start with but it is important that you are choosing the right products if you want to find an effective solution to both yours and your dog’s worries.

Flea shampoos offer excellent immediate relief for your dog, however, you can’t just expect to use a shampoo and for the fleas to completely disappear. Flea shampoos will kill the fleas nesting on your dog when you bath them, however, you also need to consider the fleas that have taken up residence within your home as well as the countless eggs they have laid.

Treat Your Environment - This is quite possibly the most overlooked aspect when it comes to treating fleas, however probably remains the most important point. Treating your home and garden for fleas means you not only take care of the fleas that are living on your pet but also those nesting in the surroundings both you and your dog share.

Regular Check-ups Afterwards - Once you have carried out the initial treatment of your dog and home it is important to frequently check your pet afterwards to ensure the fleas haven’t returned. Flea combs are an excellent way to check for both fleas and flea dirt and doing so several times after treatment will offer you the peace of mind that your methods have actually been effective.

So there you have three tips for fighting off fleas. It is important to remember that the process can take time so don’t become disheartened if your first attempts are in vain. Keep applying the methods above and your home and pet will soon be flea and tick free.