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WASHINGTON (AP) - The Environmental Protection Agency is trying to improve the safety of flea and tick treatments after seeing a significant increase in pets harmed by the products.

The EPA says it will develop stricter testing and evaluation requirements for topical flea and tick treatments. The agency also will begin reviewing product labels to determine which ones need to say more clearly how to use the products.

The EPA's actions follow an increase in bad reactions to "spot-on" flea and tick products, which are applied directly to an animal's skin. Pet owners say the products have triggered bad reactions in dogs and cats, ranging from skin irritation to neurological problems and even deaths.