Up here the climate is really dry and we don't have a flea problem, however lice is REALLY bad up here. I don't envy those with flea problems lol, lice are alot easier to get rid of. Visa got them once and I washed her in all natural laundry detergent (believe it or not -- we used this on all our lice dogs at work) because the main ingredient was coconut, and parasites hate coconut. On the list I'm on, people post recipes for a smelly (in a good way lol) concoction that keeps fleas away. A mix of different herbs and essences etc. I'd probably go that route first. I know what you mean though, if it's a huge problem chemicals are the best way to go to kill them. I just hate the idea of them.