As the weather warms up (finally) we all get to spend more time outdoors. Along with all the benefits of great weather, though, comes flea and tick season. People often ask me how I protect my pets or what they should do if they don’t want to use chemicals.

I use FrontLine Plus on Jana. Oriel and Wylie get Advantix. These are both effective products, but the fact remains, they contain strong toxins that can be harmful to both us and our pets. What is the best approach?

Many, many products are available in pet stores. Advantix, Advantage and FrontLine are among the most costly. What’s the difference? Why not use a cheaper product, a flea collar or a flea powder? An NRDC study has found that many of these products leave more chemical residue on the pets than is safe, and that some of the chemicals used, such as tetrachlorvinphos and propoxur, pose risks to children and adults who play with pets with the residue on their fur.

Some pets have dangerous neurological or allergic reactions to parasite control chemicals. One of my dogs, Timo, once had an extremely itchy irritated-skin reaction to an over-the-counter product made by Hartz. I immediately bathed him and he recovered, but not all pets are that lucky. Thousands become ill and hundreds die each year from adverse reactions to flea and tick control products. On March 17, the EPA announced that it will develop new requirements for the treatments and for instructions on packages. Reported reactions include burns and welts on pets’ skin; excessive drooling; shaking; loss of motor control, and other neurological problems. Herbal products aren't safe for everyone either; some pets and people are allergic to essential oils or other ingredients.

This article appears in Mar 31 – Apr 6, 2010.