Organic pest control

Just what is organic pest control? Eliminating common household pests is a fact of life for most of us. We know that flies, mosquitoes, and rodents carry disease, and we don’t want them taking up residence in our homes. When is comes to choosing organic, biologically safe pest control products however, we do have choices. Organic pesticides come from natural sources. These natural sources are usually plants, as is the case with pyrethins, rotenone or ryania (botanical insecticides), or minerals, such as boric acid, cryolite, or diatomaceous earth. Organic pesticides also do not have a negative impact on land, air, or water. Boric acid, for example, is a white powder mined from the Mojave Desert in California. It has been used as an insecticide since 1922 for dealing with roaches, waterbugs, ants, silverfish, carpenter ants and termites. It works by attacking the nervous system. It is odorless, nonstaining, and safe to use in the kitchen. It is the main ingredient in “Roach Motel.” Pyrethrins are the main ingredient in treatments for head lice.

Keep in mind that even though a product may be “organic”, it does not mean that it is "safe" If used improperly, even naturally derived pesticides can be harmful. Organic pesticides (like their synthetic counterparts), have specific modes of action, and should be used according to label directions. To determine the relative toxicity of any pesticide to humans, check the signal word given on the pesticide label. Least toxic products carry the signal word CAUTION on their label. Avoid products with the signal words WARNING or DANGER on the label.

While some organic pesticides may be nontoxic or are only slightly toxic to people, they may be very toxic to other animals. For instance, the organic pesticide ryania is very toxic to fish. Also, some organic pesticides may be toxic to beneficial insects, such as honeybees, if they are combined with other materials, such as combining pyrethrins with rotenone. It’s important to read labels before using these products, and to choose those that are environmentally friendly. If you decide to avoid these chemicals, go to our organic gardening resources page below.

The following natural pest control products are recommended. For those who prefer catch-and-release methods for animal pests, live trap providers are included.

"Pantry Pest" insect traps

Live traps by "Best Nest"

Additional organic pesticide manufacturers can be found on our Organic gardening resources page. Some methods are fairly simple and non-toxic, like using a can filled with beer to drown grubs. Eliminating pests safely, while protecting our families and our environment, should be everyone's goal.



We love to look through this catalog, especially for their selection of beneficial insects, which they will ship to you. Some examples include the ever-popular lady bugs (great around roses), lacewings, and nematodes.

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