When critters start munching through your growing vegetables and herbs, the last thing you want to do is douse future dinner ingredients in toxic chemicals. Conventional garden insecticides often contain synthetic ingredients that not only harm beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, but can linger in the soil and water supply long after pests are gone.[1] That’s why we love plant-based insecticides made with powerful ingredients like neem oil, garlic extract, and pyrethrins derived from chrysanthemum flowers. Not only do they break down quickly in the environment, but they target the insects you’re trying to keep away while keeping the rest of the good guys (and your family!) safer.

If bugs manage to find their way inside your home, we know how important it is to get rid of them ASAP — but not at the expense of your family’s health. Sadly, popular insect sprays and traps can contain chemicals like bifenthrin and fipronil, which have been linked to potential health risks and environmental contamination.[2] We prefer to carry pest control products that harness nature’s own defense system, like plant-derived oils from peppermint, clove, and rosemary. From pet-safe ant baits to roach repellents with zero harsh fumes, it’s possible to find products designed to deliver real results without trade-offs.

When it comes to personal bug protection, you’ll often see DEET as the active ingredient. While effective at repelling mosquitos and ticks, this synthetic ingredient often goes hand in hand with harsh odor and skin irritation. However you feel about DEET, know that there are a host of time-tested botanical ingredients also known for repelling biting insects, from lemon eucalyptus oil and citronella, to geraniol and rosemary. These ingredients have been recognized by the CDC for their proven performance, especially against disease-carrying mosquitoes.[3] And when the occasional bite pops up, you can rest assured that we carry itch-relieving products made with soothing ingredients like calendula, tea tree, and chamomile. So you’re well-stocked for a comfortable spring and summer ahead.