Start flea and tick meds in March, not May.

Yes, monthly preventatives are the best defense, and starting late is the most common mistake. By the time you see fleas or ticks, they’re already in your house and yard.

What works: prescription oral or topical meds from your vet (like NexGard, Bravecto, or Revolution). Over-the-counter stuff is weaker and often useless against ticks in some regions. Collars like Seresto work but need to be worn correctly and continuously.

If you already have an infestation: vacuum everything daily for two weeks, wash bedding in hot water, and consider a home spray with an insect growth regulator. Treat your pet first—without the preventative, you’re just chasing the problem.

Natural remedies (essential oils, garlic, ultrasonic gadgets) are mostly snake oil. They smell nice but won’t stop a tick from latching on.

Don’t skip winter either. In warmer climates, ticks never really go away. Year-round prevention is cheaper than treating an infestation.