I use Frontline for my two here in pa. Ticks are really bad, and so is lyme disease. I live next to a state farm park, and there have been several dogs in my area who passed because of Lyme. I got mine vaccinated for it. I use the Frontline because if you treat monthly it takes care of fleas and ticks, once every three months for just fleas. Never had a flea or tick in 5 years, and we have both terrible. As for naturals, garlic is poison to dogs. However, my breeder used Brewers yeast. Feed them the capsules, and dust them down with the powder form as well. She said she's never had a flea. As for ticks, other than the topicals I don't think there is anything, Ticks are nasty and carry several potentially deadly to dogs (and humans). I'd take it into consideration, when giving just a natural. If your having shedding, and dry coat problems, give your dog Omega 3 capsules, or omega fish oil. 1000 mg 3x day, and 1 400 iu vitamine E capsule. (you need both together) My female Hanna peanut has SLO, and autoimmune disease, these are part of her "cocktail". However, researching her disease I learned all about the wonderful benifits of the omega 3 in dogs, and it's what most vets, western med and holistic vets treat dogs with skin problems. I give them to both of my kids, and their coats have never had such a shine!