Under the EPA’s Minimum Risk pesticide program, products that qualify and are exempt from Federal EPA registration requirements are still required to meet certain labeling conditions which include simple, “good safety practices” precautionary statements that applies to all pesticides such as keeping out of the reach of children, avoid getting in eyes and getting on skin, and instructions on what to do if the product gets into eyes or onto skin.

Unique combinations of organic plant oils effectively target and block a key neurotransmitter receptor site found only in insects and other invertebrates.  This finding was based on researching how plants and trees naturally defend themselves against insects and other pathogens.

There is no “official” waiting period for people/pets to leave the house after applying indoor products. It is important to keep in mind that some individuals may be sensitive to the fragrance of plant essential oils. If the fragrance is too strong and/or lingers too long, refer to section on minimizing fragrance. When there is prior knowledge of sensitivity to fragrance, EcoSMART recommends testing the product in a small area before using over a larger area indoors.  

Many plant oils are phytotoxic to plants/foilage when used at high levels.  EcoSMART’s Weed & Grass Killer uses plant oils at a higher percentage (vs. the insecticide products) to provide the herbicide / burn-down activity needed to control weeds, unwanted grasses, etc.  But because some plants/foliage are more sensitive to plant oils than others (especially tender new growth and blooms), EcoSMART recommends that their insecticide/fungicide products be tested on plants/foliage to be sprayed to ensure they are not sensitive to the plant oil active ingredients.  It is important to also remember that other conditions could make plants more susceptible as well, such as if a plant is stressed due to drought conditions, etc.

EcoSMART Products provide application instructions, which take into account the amount of material that can safely be used under certain conditions. Our complete line of EPA exempt products are made with plant oils such as rosemary, cinnamon, and peppermint, all of which are approved as Direct Food Additives or classified as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. A listing of all active and inert ingredients is provided on the product label and we encourage customers to read through this before using.

More information on how to use pesticides safely is provided in EPA’s Citizens Guide. Our Spray Safe with Steve website also provides useful links on pesticide safety.

There is no “official” waiting period advising people/pets to stay off a lawn that was just sprayed with an EcoSMART hose end product.  However, in the spirit of “good safety practices”, staying off the lawn until the product dries is recommended.

Most insecticides are required by EPA to have an extensive list of precautionary and first aid statements on their labels since they use synthetic chemicals as their active ingredient. EcoSMART products, however, don’t bear such warnings. That’s because the FDA classifies the plant oils used in EcoSMART products as “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS) — the same label placed on approved foods and beverages. Additionally, the EPA classifies EcoSMART products as “Minimum-Risk” pest control products, a special category of EPA exemption offered for food grade ingredients. In fact, the active botanical ingredients found in EcoSMART products are the same ingredients commonly found in your spice rack! The EcoSMART active ingredient plant oils utilize a unique, proprietary targeted mode of action that attacks the central nervous system of insects, but have no adverse effect on humans or pets.

No, there is no reason to leave the treated area when using EcoSMART products. You can enjoy the utmost in safety and convenience without having to sacrifice effectiveness.

Our products are made with essentials oils which by nature are fragrant, but are non-toxic and do not require vacating the area after use. The fragrance will normally dissipate within hours.

While we have tested our indoor products on many types of surfaces and materials, we cannot possibly check them all. It is always wise to test them in an inconspicuous place on your carpet, fabric or other surface to check for staining before using. Use sparingly and wipe away any excess product after use.