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As my two terriers frolic in their new farmhouse and run wild on two acres of land, we find ourselves doing epic battle with possibly the greatest nuisance known to man and beast: fleas! Mind you, Sophie and Hamlet's previous life in a New York City apartment did not exempt them from these biting buggers. One thing all pet owners must come to grips with: If you are going to own pets with hair--whether indoors or out--you are going to have fleas. Once you resign yourself to this, you can set about controlling your flea population without resorting to chemical warfare.

Alternatives to Conventional Pesticides

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the publisher of Animal Times, has compiled a non-toxic, six-step regimen for attacking--and winning--the battle of the flea that I have used with total success for years--even when I lived in California and my dogs lived outdoors during summers of epidemic fleas.

Pet diet and skin care. A healthy diet leads to healthy skin and coats, which deter fleas. Feed your pets fresh, whole foods--try to avoid meat byproducts, preservatives and artificial colorings.

Treatment for your house and yard. Most flea eggs are laid on bedding, not the living host. Commit to vacuuming rugs, floor cracks and furniture frequently, every two to three days, during the peak flea seasons--summer and fall--especially if there is an abundance of rain. Flea eggs can still hatch in the vacuum bag, so change them after each use. In severe cases, rugs should be steam-cleaned. Also give your pets cedar-filled beds, which repel fleas, with removable covers that you can launder often. You can also place sticky paper flea traps and a small lightbulb in a darkened room to attract fleas. For the yard, beneficial nematodes--tiny worms that infect and kill flea larvae—can eliminate over 90 percent of larvae in 24 hours following the first application.

Anti-flea sachets. Fleas detest the scent of lavender, mint, rosemary, sweet woodruff and cedar; use sachets of these fragrances between couch cushions.

Pet baths. Simple soap and water will kill fleas if the soap is left on for about five to eight minutes.

Flea combs. Use a fine-toothed flea comb to catch fleas, dipping comb into a bowl of soapy water after each sweep through your pet's fur.

Low-toxicity pesticides. Diatomaceous earth (DE) kills fleas by drying them out. DE, a nontoxic, chalky powder made of fossilized algae, can be sprinkled on carpets and lawns. It can be found in garden supply stores. CAUTION: DE is a lung irritant if inhaled.

Approached systematically, the all-natural approach to pet care is easy, truly effective and the only way to go if you care about the health of your pets, your family and the planet (not to mention yourself).