Most natural products are labor intensive so its up to you if you want to spend the time.. Borax is a good product to keep in the house. Dawn should be used only once to initially get the fleas off because it is drying. Some dogs are highly allergic to the spot treatments. Especially smaller dogs. And collie type dogs should never use ivermectin for heart worm . I gave my little girl Comfortis and she lost big areas of hair and itched herself raw. I have a friend that uses all natural products for fleas and ticks but she has to spray her yard every week. I physically cannot do that so my dog gets Frontline and Heartgard. Never OTC spot treatments.