Nothing can send a pet owner reaching for the chemicals faster than the sight of fleas in her home. That's especially true of parents who want to keep these disease-carrying bugs away from their new babies.

Groom your pet frequently to remove dirt and matting and to check for fleas. To check for fleas, place a piece of white paper under your pet while brushing. Some of the fleas will drop off during grooming and the white paper will make them easy to see. To check your dog for fleas when bathing, place a large white towel underneath him while you dry him off. Fleas will fall off and be easier to spot on the towel.

If fleas are a problem in your area, add a little fresh garlic to your pet's food each day. Small quantities of garlic can help repel fleas by making the animal taste unpleasant to fleas. Rinsing your pet's fur with apple cider vinegar will also help keep fleas at bay.

Or you can dab essential oils like lavender, lemongrass, peppermint and citronella between your pet's shoulder blades to act as a natural bug repellent. If you prefer to use a commercial product, check out the natural, nontoxic flea repellant and control products from Precious Pets.