A flea problem that looks solved after treating the pet often isn't, because Frontline's own figure is that fleas on the animal are only 5% of an infestation — the other 95% is eggs, larvae and pupae already living in the home.

HomeGard is a surface spray, not something applied to a pet — the two active ingredients, permethrin and S-methoprene, are for spraying onto non-washable household surfaces such as carpets, rugs and sofas, where they eliminate existing fleas, eggs and larvae and keep protecting the treated area for up to 6 months. Frontline are explicit that it's meant to run alongside a flea and tick treatment applied to the pet itself, not instead of one. It comes in a 500ml bottle.

• Active ingredients: permethrin and S-methoprene
• For household surfaces (carpets, rugs, sofas), not for animals
• Kills existing fleas, eggs and larvae
• Protection claimed for up to 6 months
• 500ml bottle
• Used alongside a pet flea and tick treatment, not instead of one

Read the safety instructions before you spray. This must never be sprayed directly onto an animal — Frontline's instructions say to keep pets, cats especially, out of the room during application, and not let them back onto treated surfaces until the area has dried and aired for at least 60 minutes. That's a longer wait than some owners expect from a quick spray.

Who it's for: owners dealing with an active flea problem in the home, using this as the surface half of the job alongside a treatment on the pet — not a stand-alone fix.