In the last several years I have been using spot on flea treatments sparingly and only as needed.  I have 7 fur bearing pets so fleas are definitely a concern for me as an infestation would happen quickly.  However I began to not be so quick to apply the chemicals when one of my dogs would literally run when he heard the packaging open.  I would have to physically remove him from under a bed or table to put the treatment on and then he'd spend the better part of an hour moping around the house.  I started to look into alternative more natural treatments at this point, but did not have much success.  This year I applied the flea treatments only one time and found the best preventative method was more frequent bathing.  After hearing some sad stories about different topical treatments, I think I may try no spot on treatments next year and prevent fleas and ticks solely through frequent bathing.  By frequent I mean at least every 2 weeks. 

Some express concern about ticks being able to attach themselves to the dogs in between the baths, but in my mind the ticks are usually attached to the dogs even with the spot on treatments.  Most often when you find them they are dead, and manufacturers of these treatments say that no diseases can be transmitted before the ticks die, but somehow I find this hard to believe, and how are they able to prove that?  So if I am going to take a risk either way, I'd like to take the risk of finding the ticks and removing them instead of willingly pouring deadly chemicals onto my pet's skin when I know it visibly upsets them. 

Here are some articles that I have found on the matter.  Please continue your research on the items and feel free to post your opinions as well. 

http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/105633.html
http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/pets/execsum.asp
http://www.biospotvictims.org/
http://blogcritics.org/scitech/article/hidden-dangers-in-zodiac-spot-on/

Here are some natural methods of flea control.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Sustainable-Farming/1985-05-01/Natural-Flea-Control.aspx
    --- I tried the diatomaceous earth routine.  It was rather messy to apply and to treat the house, and I also began using it after I had already seen fleas on my pets.  I would be willing to try it again in more of a preventative role and see if that works better.  Sadly because we've come accustomed to the instantaneous death from man made pesticides it's hard to have patience with the more natural methods.  I'm excited about trying the lemon rinse, and if it works wonders may even implement it into the salon's flea routine. 
http://www.ehow.com/about_4615831_organic-flea-control.html

Now that the flea and tick season is starting to slow down it's time to start thinking about how to handle it in the upcoming year.  My mode of attack is going to be this: diatomaceous earth in the early spring around the yard and in the pets bedding and common areas, frequent baths followed by the lemon rinse, feeding a very high quality food (that's a whole other blog post!!) to help maintain overall pet and skin health, and possibly adding garlic to their diets if necessary.  I hope some will join me on this anti-chemical journey, wish us luck!