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A professional exterminator is the quickest and most effective way to get fleas out of your home. With the training and access to professional-grade products, exterminators can identify areas where fleas are hiding and laying their eggs. Most extermination companies offer a money-back guarantee if you aren't satisfied with their service, and they'll come back if you spot more bugs within 30 days.

There are more than 200 different types of fleas in the U.S. Fortunately, they all go through a similar life cycle and can be killed with the same pesticides.

Common fleas include cat, dog, and rat fleas. Each type prefers its namesake host but will take a meal from any warm-blooded mammal. Your professional extermination cost will cover treatment for any kind of flea that may be in your home.

An adult female will lay about one to two eggs per hour, up to about 50 eggs per day. Eggs can be extremely tough to kill and take up to two weeks to hatch. That's why flea treatment is sometimes repeated after 14 days.

Your flea control expert can help you prepare for a treatment, but you'll want to ensure that all food items, dishes, toothbrushes, and other items you put in your mouth are removed from the house or stored in a closed cabinet.

It may help to vacuum prior to treatment, as its vibrations can encourage pupae to emerge. If you have a special case, such as an aquarium you can't easily move, seal it and turn off the air pump. Your exterminator can review other options and directions with you.

An adult flea starves in about four days but can live over a week. After that, cocoons can last several weeks before an adult flea emerges. The best way to ensure a home is clean is to hire a professional house cleaner near you. If you’re unsure of fleas in a new house, hire a professional flea exterminator before moving in.