Q: If you’re being bitten by fleas, you most likely have an infested pet in your home. Pets such as dogs and cats can easily pick up fleas by going outside, so one of the best ways to keep fleas out of your home is to keep your pets indoors as much as possible.  If your pets do go outside, protect them from fleas by fitting them with flea collars or using regular spot-on flea prevention treatments. Some outdoor locations are more likely to have fleas than others. If you find that your pet keeps coming back from a specific park with a fresh flea infestation, try taking them to a different spot for a while and see if the situation improves. If your pet does get fleas, treating them right away can reduce your chances of getting bitten. Comb your pet frequently to remove fleas and eggs from their fur, and treat them with a flea shampoo or another pet-safe insecticide treatment.  Flea treatments that are safe for one species of animal may not be safe for another. For example, you should never treat a cat with any flea medication containing permethrin.  A few good treatment options include spot-on flea medications, such as Frontline and Advantage, or flea shampoos such as Adams Flea & Tick Shampoo. There are also a variety of fast-acting oral flea medications on the market, which are helpful for severe infestations. Some popular brands include Sentry Capguard and PetArmor Fastcaps. You can also purchase a flea collar to kill fleas on your pet and prevent future infestations. However, some flea collars may contain insecticides that are dangerous to pets and humans, such as tetrachlorvinphos, carbaryl, and propoxur. Flea eggs, larvae, and pupae can accumulate in places where your pets regularly hang out and sleep. To prevent your pet from getting re-infested with fleas, vacuum their bedding and wash it on a long cycle with hot water.  If you can’t wash your pet’s bed, or if it’s thoroughly covered with flea dirt and dander, throw it out and replace it. It’s also a good idea to wash fabric pet toys and any surfaces where your pet likes to sleep, such as throw rugs or comforters. If your pet likes to sleep on your bed, wash your sheets and other bedclothes. In addition to cleaning pet-specific areas, cleaning the rest of your house can also help get rid of flea eggs and pupae before they have a chance to hatch. Regularly vacuum your entire home, especially in areas where your pets tend to spend a lot of time. After vacuuming, immediately empty the vacuum cleaner’s dirt chamber or remove the dust bag and throw it away outside your home. If you have a major flea infestation in your home, your best bet may be to treat the whole house with an insecticide. You can either purchase an over-the-counter home flea treatment or call in a professional exterminator to handle the problem for you.  Flea treatments may come in the form of a spray or a “flea bomb” designed to spread the insecticide through your entire home. You may need to reapply the insecticide treatment after a couple of weeks to make sure you get any fleas that have hatched since the first treatment.
A: Keep your pets indoors if possible. Treat any flea-infested pets promptly. Clean pet bedding areas regularly. Vacuum floors, rugs, and furniture. Try a house-wide insecticide treatment for severe infestations.

Q: Try to sound confident when you are talking. To do this, speak in a calm, clear tone of voice. Do not dance around the issue. Speak directly and say what you mean to say. For example, you could say, “Mom, I want you to know that I am bisexual. I’m comfortable with who I am, and I hope you can be, too.” Your parents might be surprised to hear that you are bisexual. They might not know much about what that actually means. Be prepared for them to have a lot of questions. Try to answer them as honestly as you can, but don’t feel like you have to share anything that you’re not comfortable with. For example, you could say, "This isn't a choice, it is the way I am." Be prepared for questions such as:  "Are you sure?" "Why would you make this choice?" "Don’t you think you’ll grow out of this?" Your parents might be really confused about what being bisexual actually means. For instance, they might wonder if that means you like boys 50% and girls 50%, or if you have a scale. It's important to let them know that it's not a black and white issue. Explain that you are attracted to different people for different reasons. It will be helpful for you to answer their questions. It’s also a good idea for you to help them understand by giving them additional information. Overall LGBT resources will be useful, but you can also ask your local support center to give you some information that helps to explain bisexuality more specifically.  Gather some pamphlets from your local LGBT community center. You can also ask for some informational material from your campus LGBT center if you are a student. Provide them with some good websites to check out. They’re more likely to be supportive if they are better informed. You can’t predict exactly how your parents will react. Think about possible different responses, and figure out how you will respond. Remember that the initial reaction does not always indicate how they really feel; they may need some time to come to terms with the news and accept it. For example, they might be in shock first but come around to acceptance and support in a short amount of time. Some common reactions are:  Shock Anger Sadness Dismissal If you’re closer to one of your parents or trust them a little more, it may be a good idea to talk to them first about being bisexual. They may be able to help you or give you advice on how to tell the other parent.
A:
Speak clearly. Answer your parents' questions about bisexuality. Provide resources. Be ready for different responses. Consider coming out to one parent before the other.