I am using Flea Free...so far no ticks since he's been drinking it in his water. Fleas not so bad but we have a cat farm next door. If it wasn't for that, they'd probably be minimal.

I hate how they made advantage 2, now you have to use 2 chemicals instead no thanks. I ordered the regular one from Scotland. Also I found I can use the dose lower than for my dog's weight and it works just fine. This has been true for other dogs and other flea products.

I live in a place where we have these nasties all year round!! I have used every natural product and all of the topicals. They all lose their effectiveness after a while, so the vets are always on top of new stuff.

Right now, I am using "Parastar". It is for fleas and ticks and is working. However, he will still scratch when we are outside, but they die really quickly.

So, he hardly scratches inside.

The price to pay for living in a warm climate!

Here is a new product that is double the strength of cedar oil.
I am going to give this a try and will report back when I get it.

http://www.cedarcidestore.com/Tickshield_Tactical.html

I think these two site cover most of the products out there.

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=545

http://www.valleyvet.com/library/dog_flea_tick_control_comparison.html

I pulled a tick off the new puppy yesterday

Frontline Plus has a "Puppy" product. I think it is the same stuff I used on Starbuck when she was little. I'll probably pick up some today.

Should I give her more time to adjust to the new house before I apply anything? She is doing very well and has started to settle down in the crate.

When I apply the Frontline, I put it in several spots down Starbucks spine (even though the product wants it all in one place). My last Shepherd would get a hot spot when I put the whole container on one spot. Does anyone else apply it differently?

Our dermatology vet said it is ok to apply it to 2 or 3 locations down the spine, but you don't want to put it where the dog can lick it off - that's why Frontline has you put it on the shoulder blades.

Also, for those of you who are really having a horrible time with fleas, there is a good solution, but it's hard to swallow for those of us who don't like using flea products. My derma vet, who is VERY conservative when it comes to meds, said that it is better to treat the fleas than have a dog who is biting itself to death from them - the constant cycle of flea bites, dog chews, gets infected, needs steroids and antibiotics, then gets yeast infections, is worse for the dog.

So if you have trouble controlling them, it is ok to apply Frontline Plus, then 2 weeks later give Comfortis (the pill that controls fleas only, not ticks), then 2 weeks later the Frontline, etc. She said one of the big reasons people are having trouble with the topicals is not because the fleas are immune, but because they don't really last 4 weeks. After about 20 days the strength begins to wane and then the fleas can start in. So by using the Comfortis after 2 weeks, your dog is always covered by one of the products. You can also use Frontline every 3 weeks if you don't want to use the Comfortis. I don't like to, but in Southern CA where it never gets cold, we have to really protect them in the summer months (which here, is July - October).

I use comfortis it only does fleas but it does fleas VERY well its a chewable pill and is also a natural product used as a pesticide in organic farming

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinosad

Do you have any results yet Joyce? I really like the idea of a product which can be used on both dogs and people; after having a very bad experience with a topical tick preventative I will only use on my dog what I am willing to put on my own skin.

I have been using the product now for a couple weeks and I like it.
If you don't mind a strong cedar scent, it's a great product. I have used cedar products for several years now, I am a believer.
I have never seen a flea, no signs of flea dirt etc.
I treat my yard with the accompanying product PCO Choice.
It covers many insects and is also a great snake repellent.
These are both great choices for natural alternatives to the conventional chemical spot drops.

As long as your dog doesn't have an allergy to cedar, I highly recommend people give it a try. Works great on humans too.

Also another great product is the Buck Mountain Herbal Gold parasite dust, which is made from food grade DE( diatomaceous earth), Neem, and Yarrow.
http://www.buckmountainbotanicals.net/pdf/parasite.pdf

Also, I have really liked the Azmira Neem spray and Neem Dip that they carry here at Leerburg. These work well and smell great!