skip the topicals (the spot treatments for fleas and ticks) and go with a preventic collar..............miles apart in performance ! I usually just use advantage for fleas...........and I love it...........never see a flea !   But, when I have to switch to the other topicals during tick season,  I still get ticks no matter what we try.  Spraying the yard, powders in the house, powders and sprays on the dogs and this is in addition to the topicals out there........got a Preventic collar and within 48 hours, I see no more ticks !  I was picking 20 a day (for 2 months straight) off the dogs before the collar.........put it on them on a Saturday - today is Thursday and not a one !!!