What Does Pesticide-Free Mean?
Our definition of what it means to be pesticide-free, including list of products that can and cannot be used in a pesticide free zone.
Ideally it means no chemical pesticides (including herbicides) are used at all. However, there are a few products that, while technically considered pesticides, are of such low concern that we consider them to be compatible with the Pesticide Free Zone. We allow these products because we want to encourage industry to provide these types of safer products. These are generally either products allowed in organic agriculture or products that are exempt from federal pesticide registration requirements. Many are products made from plant-based materials and chemicals that are allowed in food.
Examples of products consistent with Pesticide Free Zone
Insecticidal soaps (e.g. Safer, Concern, etc.)
Herbicidal soaps (e.g. Safer Moss and Algae Killer)
Vinegar-based herbicides
Neem oil products (e.g. Rose Defense)
Potassium bicarbonate or sodium bicarbonate fungicides (e.g. Remedy)
Sulfur-based fungicides
Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.)
Horticultural oil
Iron phosphate slug bait (e.g. Sluggo, Worry Free)
Corn gluten meal
Fertilizers without pesticide components
Examples of products NOT consistent with Pesticide Free Zone
Weed and feed (except corn gluten)
Slug bait (containing metaldehyde)
Pre-emergence herbicides (e.g. Casoron, Preen, etc.)
Roundup
Lawn moss killers (except Safer soap or Worry Free)
Systemic rose disease or insecticide products
Any fertilizer with insecticide, fungicide, or insecticide added
