Gonzo has never had fleas or ticks - thank GOD! I would pretty much die if I found a tick on myself... they aren't that gross, I'm just really squeemish. I put Frontline Plus on Gonzo, just during the bad months, and it apparently works very well. The backyard at my Mom's new house is 1+ acre, mostly grass, but in the back it has longer brush and trees, so we're getting that mowed and we're thinking of adding nematodes.