With all this talk about the dangers of flea and tick medications, I thought it would be a good idea to research a few safer alternative solutions for you.

Firstly, I have to tell you that I don't use any flea or tick preventatives. I spend most of my time in my yard working out with my Mum. And when I do venture out for walks, agility, and hiking, Mum always checks me over very thoroughly immediately upon my return for any signs of fleas and ticks.

We have treated our yard with beneficial nematodes and diatomaceous earth is spread around our yard regularly. We keep our shrubs trimmed and grasses cut. Even when I was newly rescued from the shelter and had a flea infestation, Mum bathed me in an eco friendly, safe, gentle shampoo, combed me with a flea comb, vacuumed thoroughly and they were gone in a matter of days.

Some key tips:

• A healthy dog on a good holistic diet is much less prone to attract flea and tick infestations.
• Check your dog often for signs of fleas and ticks.
• Utilize beneficial nematodes in your yard to cut down on fleas and ticks.
• Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around your yard to ward off and kill existing fleas and ticks.
• If you find ticks or fleas on your dog remove them immediately utilizing proper removal tools and dunk them in soapy water.
• Keep pet beds and other linens cleaned regularly.
• Add cedar shavings to your pets bed stuffing.
• Herbal repellents containing cedarwood, lemongrass, peppermint, rosemary and thyme are likely safer. Avoid citrus, cinnamon, clove, d-limonene, geranium, tea tree, lavender, linalool, bay, eucalyptus, pennyroyal and rue oils, as they have been shown by the NRDC to be dangerous to pets.

If you have additional green, safe, and environmentally friendly ways to prevent the nasties, be sure and share them! So here are a few safer alternatives and tools to keep your pet healthy and happy....and here's to a safe summer!

Anibio Tic-Clip Insect Repellent Collar Tag for Cats and Dogs $49.99 Sentry Natural Defense Flea & Tick Squeeze-On for Dogs 15 - 40 lbs. $12.29 Earth Friendly Products ECOS Ultra Concentrated Liquid Laundry Detergent (20 fl.oz.) $7.49 Ticked-Off Tick Remover Tool () $4.09 Safari Wood Handle Flea Comb $7.75 Canine Earth Roll Over Oatmeal Aloe Skin and Coat Cleanser Shampoo For Dog 8 oz. $13.19 Buddy Wash Pet Shampoo - 19 oz. $8.99 6 lb. bag Diatomaceous Earth $17.95 Animal DC15BALL Vacuum (Upright, Bagless, HEPA) $599.00 Bissell 3920 Pet Hair Eraser HEPA Bagless Upright Vacuum - Black $178.94 Lentek Koolatron Flea Zapper Electronic Comb () $34.99 NaturVet Herbal Flea Powder For Dogs and Cats (4-oz. plastic container) $12.29 Nature's Guardian Natural Flea & Tick Products, Squeeze-On Dog & Puppy to 15 - 6 Units / 4.5 ml $58.41 Flea Control Nematodes $19.95 Millers Forge Vista Mini Flea Comb $3.75