I'm a vet tech that has been in the field for 10 years. I agree; Frontline has started to lose its "charm". The major problem is that there are so many FACTORS that you have to know with Frontline that most people don't know about and who the heck has the time?
1) Frontline is an oil gland to oil gland worker, meaning, it has to go into the oil gland and whick up the hair folicle to work. If you use it every month, the oil gland "well" will not become low. If you miss a month, its effectiveness will go down until the "well" is filled up again.
2) It will NOT work on an oily dog or a dry dog
3) You have to use a shampoo that is soap or detergent free, no medicated shampoos either because they will strip the oil gland, thus removing the product
4) When a flea comes in contact with the product, it has a seizure and takes a little bit of that product with them. If you have A LOT of fleas in your environment, constantly taking the product with them, you will run out of Frontline faster than 30 days, which is why the company started telling people to alternate between the Top Spot and the Spray every 2 weeks during the summer. ($$$$)
5) It may take 3-4 months of CONSTANT cleaning your house, yard, and any other area your pet has been in to get rid of the infestation.
6) You have to make sure the liquid goes directly on the skin! NOT the hair or it won't get down to the oil gland to start working.
I say, switch to Comfortis, if you see ticks, (DOGS ONLY) use a tick spray (DOGS ONLY).
Comfortis, however, is a prescription drug right now because it is FDA approved. SO, you do have to make sure your dog has a relationship with its vet within a year. ALSO. It has to be given with a meal or it is not going to work as well, AND you have to make sure your pet has not had a seizure before, check with your vet if they have had any of those issues. The only side-effect that I've seen is upset stomach, which can be remedied by giving 1/2 tab the first day and 1/2 tab the second day WITH FOOD. It is pretty comparable with Frontline in our area on $$, so it's not a huge difference and if it works....well....
Hope this helps...
ALSO - for CAT OWNERS - if you are having flea problems with cats, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT BUY OVER THE COUNTER FLEA MEDS!!!! CAN/WILL KILL YOUR CAT! Try to get Revolution or feline Advantage (NOT Advantix).