The tapeworm larva survive in the gut of the flea. A dog gets infected by either eating flea feces (e.g. grooms or licks another dog with fleas), or eats the flea.

You could try buying Panacur-C which is suppose to be effective against the tapeworm. I have no first hand experience using it with my dogs for that purpose. My Vet has been recommending Panacur-C to get rid of roundworms etc at the annual examination. I do know my male dog tends to get nauseated with the Panacur-C. The solution is to give him 75 mg of Zantac before the Panacur-C.

I've always gone the shot route with my dogs. Since I have them on Sentinel which has the Program incorporated in it, no problems with fleas. As long as you have the fleas you can count on this being a viscous cycle repeated infection.

Suggestions for your flea problems: If heavy infestation in your house, then fumagate your house, and/or at least shampoo the carpets. Set up flea traps (sticky pads with night lights). Get a Capstar pill for each dog from the Vet. It lasts 24 hrs during which time, any flea that bites the dog dies instantly. Then get your dog on the Program pill, or a product such as the Sentinel heartworm pill that incorporates the Program pill into it. No more fleas. I have not used any flea powders, and found things like Advantage to be difficult to apply- usually will only use it as a tick prevention attempt. No fleas here with just Sentinel.