Diatomaceous earth

Risk Level: Use only when chemical control is needed
Description: Dry earth applied at pest entry points and pathways.

Chemicals: Diatomaceous earth:
Silicon dioxide is an inorganic material made up of approximately 3% magnesium, 33% silicon, 19% calcium, 5% sodium, 2% iron and minerals. It consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. The largest health effect can occur during administration and result in irriation of the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. A dust mask should be utilized during its application to minimize irritation of the throat and nose.

Toxicity: Irritant

Safer Alternatives:
• Wash bedding in hot, soapy water once a week.
• Vacuum the home once a week. Empty the vacuum bag and dispose its contents.
• Comb daily with a fine-toothed flea comb and rinse the comb teeth in hot, soapy water between strokes.

Frontline Plus
Risk Level: Use sparingly and avoid if pregnant or around young children
Description: Topical liquid flea treatment for dogs and cats
Chemicals:
Fipronil --
Fipronil is considered a possible human carcinogen. [source] It also blocks a neural pathway responsible for preventing excessive stimulation resulting in over-excitation of the nervous system in both insects and humans. Fipronil binds less readily with mammalian nervous receptors than insect receptors, reducing its toxic effect in humans. Signs of poisoning from fipronil may include sweating, nausea, vomiting, headache, abdominal pain, dizziness, agitation, weakness, and tonic clonic seizures. When exposed to sunlight, fipronil breaks down into a compound nine to ten times as potent as fipronil itself. Studies have shown that fipronil residues from pet fur can get transferred onto a wipe or a child's hand. Fipronil is also suspected to disrupt the endocrine system. [source] Fipronil is listed as a least-toxic chemical control by the Integrated Pest Management Practitioner. It is listed on EcoWise Certified IPM Program Materials List.
There are significant health concerns associated with fipronil but in areas with severe tick problems, limited and careful use may be warranted.
Toxicity:

• Possible carcinogen
  Toxic to the nervous system
  Suspected endocrine disruptor

S-Methoprene --
S-Methoprene is an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR), meaning that it halts the growth of chitin, the substance that creates the exoskeleton in insects. IGRs are effective against developing insects but not against adult insects with already developed exoskeletons. Because of this, IGRs are used to prevent an extended infestation. Since mammals do not produce chitin, insect growth regulators have little effect on humans. According to EPA S-Methoprene has a very low acute toxicity.
S-Methoprene is listed as a least-toxic chemical control by the Integrated Pest Management Practitioner. It is listed on City and County of San Francisco Integrated Pest Management Program 2007 Reduced-Risk Pesticide List. [source] And it is listed on EcoWise Certified IPM Program Materials List.

Toxicity: Safer chemical -- however, all pesticides should be used with caution and in consultation with a veterinarian.

Safer Alternatives:

• Wash bedding in hot, soapy water once a week.
  Vacuum the home once a week. Empty the vacuum bag and dispose its contents.
  Comb daily with a fine-toothed flea comb and rinse the comb teeth in hot, soapy water between strokes.
  Look for repellent sprays made with essential oils of lemongrass, cedarwood, peppermint, rosemary or thyme.
  For severe problems that require chemical intervention, look for lower risk products such as those using Pyriproxyfen, Nitenpyram, Spinosad, S-Methoprene, or Lufenuron as the active ingredient.

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Thanks for posting.

We use frontline for our pets, but I am going to look for something else. What does everyone else use??

After reading about the danger a couple of years ago, I stopped using Frontline or any chemicals. I don't like using chemicals in general and I prefer natural remedies wherever possible.

I use natural remedies in the winter months when there aren't lots of fleas. I have a natural oil mixture that I can rub on them, but they hate the smell and it doesn't work very well to combat lots of fleas. It isn't very strong. In summer, when they get out of hand I use Revolution - it's expensive, but it works very well. Unfortunately, it's still a harmful chemical. But in the case of a severe flea infestation, you have to weigh the pros and cons.

I also tried Diatomaceous earth, but I hate the smell and because it's a powder, it makes the dogs feel dirty to the touch. Plus, it makes them smell like dirty dogs. But incidentally, it's great for keeping ants at bay, so at least it doesn't go to waste.

I'm going to try Vondi's flea products this coming summer - they are made of Khakibos and it's all natural. You might want to check them out: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] I hope they work well, but we'll have to see.

I hate the idea of getting the chemicals on myself and my bedding. It just doesn't make sense to me that there are warnings on the packaging saying that the product is harmful, but you apply it to your dogs... I don't know, it doesn't seem logical to put chemicals on a dog's skin that would be harmful to your own. But then again, the manufacturers aren't worried about cancer down the line, they are only concerned with killing fleas now.

I'm dreading the start of summer :-(

I haven't used any flea products for more than three years. Once my house and garden in Cape Town were cleared of fleas and the dogs were, we haven't had a single repeat infestation.

Half of that time we have been in Joburg. Two of the dogs live mostly outside, two live mostly inside, they mingle in the evenings when the outdoor doggies come in for the night. So far, no fleas since we move up here, even during a very hot summer.

All four go out for grooming (where they meet other dogs) and the Yorkies go on outings where they meet other dogs and are exposed to new environments, but so far, no re-infestation.

Perhaps the solution is to use draconian means to eradicate fleas and their eggs/nymphs from the house and garden and get the dogs clear of the same, all at the same time. Our CT house and garden were grossly infested when we bought the place and it took a couple of years to get it all controlled, but once the problem was eradicated, it stayed gone.

I used a product called "Fleago" to deflea the house. It took several (expensive) cans and several applications, but eventually it worked and to date (holding thumbs) we haven't had any new problems, even with bringing a new puppy, from a different environment, into the house.

I suppose what you are saying is true Sweetviolet. Where we are living now, there were no pets before and our dogs never had flea problems before so we dont have fleas at he moment.

When we got Mika I think he had one flea, but we quickly sorted that and he is also flea free. We are just careful because they go to the parlour and we take them for walks. We are scared that they might pick something up. Aso, there is a farm right behind us with horse and sheep. We were lucky to not have any problems yet.