Because no medication against insect infestation is without side effects, prevention is the better strategy. The most important strategy to keep the fleas and ticks away is regular cleaning. Clean the areas where your pets hang around and also keep vacuuming your house regularly. This will reduce the life cycle of insects. And be extra careful during the breeding season. Most types of insects thrive during the summer months. Also, keep your pets away from areas of tall grass and wild shrubs. One way of doing this is to mow your lawns before the grass grows too tall.