3. Vacuum several times each week. Use a strong canister-type machine, and vacuum all areas to which your pet has access. Use a crevice tool for corners and out-of-the-way places and vacuum thoroughly—not just rugs, but floors, upholstered furniture, and pillows.

Seal the vacuum bag in a plastic bag immediately, and discard it away from the house. Severe flea infestations may require an initial shampooing or steam cleaning of rugs and upholstered furniture, and then regular vacuuming thereafter to get rid of all the flea debris.

4. Apply repellants. Natural pyrethrum powders are very effective and can be used safely indoors. Apply powder on floors, along baseboards, under pet sleeping areas. Use pyrethrum indoors only, as it breaks down quickly (and harmlessly) when exposed to sunlight.

You can also a special form of borax that lasts for up to one year in your carpet and upholstery, which results in treating for fleas every day with little work on your part.

On the more fragrant side, you can sprinkle two ounces of any repellent essential oils (such as lavender, citronella, pine, rose, and others) over two quarts of rock salt. Let the salt sit to absorb the oil, then sprinkle it under dressers, couches and rugs, and in other areas that don’t move a lot. You can also mix any of these oils with water in a spray bottle and spray infested areas. These will not kill fleas, but will make the environment less inviting for them to thrive.