What is the best product to kill fleas and ticks? Advantage, K9 Advantix or Frontline.?

Question

I recently bought advantage for dogs up to 10 pounds, it seems to work well on fleas but he still scratches and I noticed a tiny tick. Which product offers the best results to kill fleas and ticks, also it seems that the lawn outside is infested with ticks and fleas, there is nothing that I can do since it's the city's lawn but is there something that I can apply to house aside from the product on the dog?

Answer 1

I just read a consumer product survey, which said that they all do well on fleas, but that K9 Advantix was best on tick control.

Frontline may have improved recently, but when I lived in 'tick-ville', it didn't work well on ticks.

Answer 2

Advantix is the best product in the market right now for ticks (advantage is licensed only for fleas). However, the little bugs can develop resistance after a while, so is best to switch brands often, about every 3 months or so. That way you kill the bugs that were starting to develop resistance to the first product, then you switch back to the first product and so on.

Do not use garlic as a tick/flea preventative, garlic causes anemia in dogs and is a chronic process, it will take a long time to cause anemia. Reason why ppl that give garlic supplements don't normally associate their dog's anemia or other health problems w the garlic.

Answer 3

I have worked at vet hospitals in the south and on the east coast. What I have found is that certain flea products work better in different regions. Frontline Plus (not regular Frontline) is best in the south, while Advantage/Advantix work best here on the east coast. Remember that Advantage does not prevent ticks, but Advantix does (confusing, I know). Revolution is another product that claims to prevent ticks, but it falls short of the other products. The maker of Revolution makes a tick collar (similar to a flea collar but it actually works) called the Preventic Collar. This collar is best for short term needs, such as camping, etc.

See what your veterinarian covers and recommends. If they do not have a product for you, they can set you up on on VetCentric.com. This is an online pet pharmacy that is reputable, safe, and completely legal. Please do not order from websites like petmedsexpress.com or 1800petmeds.com. They are terrible companies, but that's for another discussion...

Also, please be sure that your kiddo is on heartworm prevention. A little known fact: if you purchase your heartworm preventative from a vet and test your pet annually for heartworms, the company will pay for treatment should your dog get heartworms while on a regular monthly dose (at least an $800-1000 treatment course). Just FYI!

As far as the infestation goes, I would contact both your city and landlord (if you rent). It is ridiculous that you should have to deal with fleas and ticks (health hazard!!!). There are some products you can buy to sprinkle on the lawn to kill off the fleas and ticks (unfortunately no names come to mind). Short of buying some guineas and chickens, I have no idea how to handle that!

Answer 4

I live in SC where fleas and mosquitos are a huge problem. I have 2 outside dogs and 3 in/outdoor cats. We have been using Frontline for nearly a year and it was NOT working. I switched to Advantage about 3 weeks ago and see a HUGE improvement!! The biggest way not to get pests in the house is prevent the pets from bringing them inside. Most any home fogger (Walmart, Home Depot) will work wonders, I used Harts last fall and it worked for about 6 mos. I have some Hot Shot to use this time. I double up the recommended amount and cover any electronics (computer/tvs) with towels to prevent sticky residue inside. Usually does the trick for about 6 months at a time. Sevin dust ($5 at Walmart for good-sized bag) sprinkled in the pets bedding and carpeted areas also can help. Remember to sprinkle under you own bed and furniture. Also, try applying under sofa cusions. If you have a stoop or porch, sprinkle it around this area too. Be careful, though. I applied Sevin to my animals as a flea powder and my one dog seems to be allergic. It caused itchy, weepy spots similar to hot spot. **Also a plus, Advantage has heartworm meds built in. No more pills!**

Answer 5

Advantage works on fleas, but not ticks. Frontline works on both. My Poodle is an indoor dog who goes outside to the bathroom. I live in the country, so I use Frontline on her and use it once a month. It gets expensive, but not nearly as expensive as having a house exterminated for ticks and fleas.

The shelter where I work is housed in the country and we use Revolution. It's expensive; but, the we have a heavy tick infestation if we don't. It ends up being cheaper (since we live on donations) than taking one to the vet for getting sick from ticks, or worse--getting tick fever.

Answer 6

Feeding a mix of Brewer's yeast and chopped garlic in the dog's food will cut down on the fleas and ticks on the dog. It's a natural way to deal with the annoying problem. As far as the lawn goes keeping it as short as possible will take away their breeding ground so you may want to check with the city and see if they'd be willing to keep it real short. I would be careful applying any chemicals around the dog in the house by try checking the web for any natural flea and tick alternatives I have heard that Borax and baking soda mixed together and sprinkled on the carpet then brushed in and left for a few days works but I do the yeast/garlic thing so I have never had to try it out. You can also bake the yeast/garlic into a treat for the dog by typing in natural dog treats-the recipe I use is called Bye Bye Fleas and it is so easy to make and all natural.

Answer 7

I like K9 Advantix because it repels fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes! I use it on my dogs and it really works. I've used Frontline and it sucked.

Answer 8

I just got Frontline combo and the vet said that it destroys the reproductive organs of any fleas, ticks or mites, so that they can't drop eggs all over your house. I've always used Frontline and I've never had a problem with any bugs.

Answer 9

I use Frontline Plus, and it has always worked very good. I bring my dogs to the water and river all the time, plus we have a brook behind our house, so they constantly run through the trees and so far no tick or flea problems!

Answer 10

My vet suggests Frontline Plus it kills fleas, ticks, the eggs, everything. You just have to keep a check between their toes and in their ears because it don't work there. And you can buy foggers and set them off in the house.