The best way to keep fleas and ticks off your Beagle is to use a veterinarian prescribed monthly spot-on product like Frontline or Advantage. These products are generally recognized as safe when used correctly, and they really do work, killing pests on contact. Just put a few drops on your Beagle between his shoulder blades once a month, after his bath, and you may never have a flea problem.

Some Beagles never meet a flea or a tick, but most Beagles who spend a lot of time outside, especially in warmer areas of the country, are almost certainly going to encounter these horrible pests at some point in their lives. If you know fleas are a likely possibility where you live, preventing them is much easier than dealing with an infestation.

While grooming your Beagle, always keep an eye out for signs of pests – actual fleas and ticks, or the little black specks that turn red when they get wet (that’s flea dirt). Bathing can wash them away, but won’t remove eggs and larvae from your home, so treat any signs of fleas immediately. and remove any pests you see immediately, too. A steel flea comb can help lift out fleas, or use your fingers. Drop fleas into a small cup of alcohol to oil them, then flush them away.

If you suspect you have fleas in your home, take action immediately. Treat your pet, then immediately wash all pet bedding, and your own bedding if your Beagle sleeps with you. Vacuum the whole house and dispose of the vacuum bag outside. Repeat daily until the infestation is under control. Regular, old-fashioned bathing and vacuuming go a long way toward controlling a flea infestation.

Tip: To keep fleas at bay and heal flea-bitten skin, look for shampoos containing Neem oil. This natural botanical ingredient comes from the fruits and seeds of the Neem evergreen tree, and naturally repels fleas. Neem oil is a great skin soother, too.

Caution: Ticks that stay attached to your Beagle for more than a few hours can transmit serious diseases including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, so always remove a tick as soon as you find one. A burst tick can even infect you through the skin, so use caution and always use rubber gloves or a paper towel when handling ticks.

Pull ticks straight out, at an angle perpendicular to the skin. Kill them by dropping them in a small cup of rubbing alcohol, then flush them down the toilet. If the site of a tick bite turns red or swells, consult your veterinarian.