Comments on: Contest: Win Organic, Non-Toxic Insecticide from EcoSMART

By: Derek Markham

Derek Markham — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 03:22:18 +0000

And the winners are…

Marsha

Jennifer

Sandy

We will contact you by email to get your product of choice to you.

Thanks to all who left comments!

By: Derek Markham

Derek Markham — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 03:19:33 +0000

Here’s the word from EcoSMART:

“In our ant & roach aerosol, we do not use any mineral oil as the carrier, only water (as listed on the label).

Also, EcoSMART is allowed to use the words “Safe” and “Non-Toxic” on our retail product labels because they are classified as minimum-risk by the US EPA since ALL ingredients are “food grade” material (and regarded as “Generally Recognized As Safe” by the USDA). So since they fall under the minimum-risk classification by the EPA, we are allowed to use safety claims on our product labels.”

By: Derek Markham

Derek Markham — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 05:57:57 +0000

Dear readers:

Because EcoSMART has not responded to my question about ingredients, I don’t feel good about giving away their products. If (or when) I do hear back from them, I will leave an update about the winners in a comment here.

Thanks for your patience!

By: Derek Markham

Derek Markham — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:50:23 +0000

From the EcoSMART website:

“EcoSMART represents that this product is a Minimum-Risk pest control product, and qualifies for exemption from EPA registration under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).”

I still haven’t heard back from them about the percentage of mineral oil…

By: Derek Markham

Derek Markham — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:30:53 +0000

Jennifer-

I’m still waiting to hear back from them…

I will do the drawing this evening and post the winners tomorrow.

Thanks for all of your comments!

By: Jennifer Taggart

Jennifer Taggart — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:44:54 +0000

Did you ever get an answer from EcoSmart on the petroleum product in the ant spray? The “other ingredients” include “mineral oil” and I’ve asked two different publicity reps who have contacted me about it how much, and they just say it is okay under the USDA’s National Organic Program. Yes, I understand that you can process with mineral oil, but I want to know how much of that 92% contains mineral oil. Did you ever find out?

Also, I thought it was a violation of FIFRA to use safety claims such as “nontoxic to humans and pets” as the EcoSmart does??

By: Gerry Weitz

Gerry Weitz — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:10:12 +0000

Though it is great to be using organic products, they can still be very messy if used improperly. Pest control professionals are trained to work around pesticides. These organic products are pesticides too. We at Hearts Pest Management (www.heartspm.com), use the EcoSmart product line. We are aware of their benefits and some of their drawbacks. Some of their products are corrosive and can leave bad stains. Check us out for a professional and green pest control company.

By: cindy

cindy — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:50:08 +0000

I live in an apartment so I do not get many insect problems. I do get the occasional swarm of fruit fies hovering around my fruit basket or the composter on the porch. To ge rid of them I usually just cover up the basket with a towel for a few days, or try to eat it up before it gets to that fly attractive point. I have also kept them to a minimum in my composter this year by lining the airholes with extra screen mesh (the composter is made out of a med sized plastic garbage can). No poison or sprays needed and the problems are solved.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:13:27 +0000

I love the idea but think the word “killer” is a bit much; I only want the insects relocated. I only use sprays when I absolutely have no other choice. I prefer to use traps whenever possible.

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:42:53 +0000

I am subscribed.

In our house a common phrase is, “only killers ring the doorbell.” Our cat is terrified of the doorbell but not when a friend/person she doesn’t know just opens the door and walks in.

I do believe in killing bugs. I don’t mind bugs outside and only ever kill wasps or anything dangerous if they are close to the house. Any bug that comes into my house is fair game for breaking and entering. Inside we squash them. It is more humane (sudden) and less toxic. For wasps which are usually out of reach and too dangerous to wait for them to fly low (allergic husband) I get them with hairspray to make them fall then squash.