5%Sevin Dust.

I have a miniature dachsund and had the same problem a year ago. My vet recommended Frontline Plus and it works great. It lasts for one month. I give it to him during the hot summer months. Your vet will have it or you can order it at a place called Drs. Foster and Smith online and they ship it to your home really quick. It's around $20.00 for a 3 month supply.

I had a dog with a flea allergy which lead to "hot spots" ... raw gnawed extremely sensitive spots on their skin. You might try putting some over the counter cortisone mixed with triple antibiotic on any areas your dog is biting that seem to have become sore. If it gets worse when the medicine is applied your dog may be allergic to neomycin so discontinue using triple antibiotic. You can get Zinc Bacitricin ointment which does not contain neomycin to use in its place with cortisone.

The vet has a gentomycin/cortisone spray for hot spots which is somewhat expensive but very effective for hot spots.

If your dog has fleas it means there may be fleas in your home which presents a problem of eradication you need to talk with someone definitely in the know since you have small children.

since you have young children - be careful what u use. go to a health store and see what they have in natural products.

Agree with Emily!! Can't be too careful with small children.

Diatomaceous earth may be a possibility since it is a naturally occurring product and kills insects and fleas by puncturing them. It is the only product used in grain elevators to kill bugs so considered safe in the proper application.

Diatom Powder is available at the big box hardware stores in the pool department as a filtration product huge box for about $10. I buy it to use it in an aquarium cleaning filter. Can be used under your house and in out of the way corners where fleas might reside making more fleas.

Frontline Plus. That stuff is amazing, and completely safe. Just about any vet would recommend it (ask).

thanks everyone!!