As the weather begins to get warmer and you have the opportunity to spend more time enjoying the outdoors with your family and your pets, it's essential to take the necessary precautions to protect your furry companions from potentially dangerous bugs waiting to infest them.
Fleas and ticks can also present issues for you and your family. Though they may be hard to see, fleas and ticks pack a punch, and one bite can lead to a wide array of ailments ranging from minor sicknesses to serious illnesses such as Lyme disease.
Okay, enough bad news.
So what's the best way to protect your family and pets from these harmful bugs?Read on to compare two top-notch medications that kill and control fleas and ticks.

Frontline Plus
Frontline Plus, the #1 choice of veterinarians, is a monthly flea and tick preventative that kills 100% of existing fleas in 12 hours, and all ticks and chewing lice within 48 hours. It is also effective in killing flea eggs and larvae, stopping them from maturing into biting fleas. Frontline Plus is a topical solution that must be applied to your pet's skin and is waterproof after 24 hours. The active ingredients in Frontline Plus are fipronil and S-methoprene. Fipronil attacks the central nervous system of fleas and ticks, and is stored in your pet's sebaceous gland after initial application to provide long-lasting protection. S-methoprene is an insect growth regulator (IGR) which kills flea eggs and larvae disrupting the flea life cycle and ultimately preventing adult fleas from developing.
Frontline Plus is available in four different sizes for dogs, based on weight, and one size for cats of all weights. Starting at $39.95 for three treatments (which last one full month each), and available over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription, it's an easy and effective way to give your pet the protection he or she deserves.

NexGard
If you're looking for a way to give your pet the same great flea and tick protection without having to deal with messy topicals, look no further than NexGard. Created by the makers of Frontline Plus, NexGard is the first-ever flea and tick preventative that comes in a convenient (not to mention delicious) FDA-approved, beef-flavored chew. NexGard doesn't interfere with your dog's heartworm medication and, like the Frontline Plus topical product, it lasts for 30 days. The active ingredient in NexGard is afoxolaner, which absorbs rapidly into your dog's bloodstream and over-stimulates the central nervous system of fleas and ticks, causing 100% of fleas to die within 24 hours. As NexGard is taken orally, there is no need for your dog to wait before bath time or going for a swim.
NexGard requires a prescription from your veterinarian and is available in four sizes for dogs only, based on weight (dogs must be at least 4 lb. and 8 weeks old). Starting at $61.99 for three treatments (which last one full month each), NexGard is a no-mess, tasty way to protect your dog from dangerous fleas and ticks.