The tick's head can sometimes detach and fester in the skin like a splinter, so make sure you're grabbed the whole bug. For severe infestations, try treating your home once or twice a year with diatomaceous earth. DE, made from microscopic algae called diatoms, actually destroys flea larvae exoskeletons, causing fleas to dry out and die. DE is not recommended for regular use. Also make sure not to use the kind of DE made for swimming pools.
Fleas can live in carpeting for up to a year.
To treat carpets, use borax powder and work it into the fibers with a broom. If you're taking Rover for a ride, keep sheets or towels in the car for him to sit on, then wash them after every trip. But avoid using a chemical pesticide in the car - the fumes that can build up when the car sits in the hot sun with closed windows can make passengers sick. Keeping your lawn mowed short during flea season lets sunlight warm the soil, killing flea larvae. A good old bath can help, killing fleas on the body.