Green Tip of the Day

Cat Safe Bug Killers

You want to kill insects but you want to be sure these products are safe to use around your cat. Botanical pesticides kill bugs as effectively as synthetic pesticides, but they are made of essential oils that block specific neural pathways in insects and regulate insect movement, behavior and metabolism. This results in instant immobilization and/or knockdown followed by the insect's death.

Because these neural pathways do not exist in mammals, the formulations are completely safe to use around children, animals, birds and fish. "Most Americans don't realize that they can kill household insects without using conventional pesticides that leave behind a harmful chemical residue," says Steven Bessette, president of EcoSMART Technologies.

EcoSMART has 14-ounce aerosols, available in Wal-Mart, Albertsons and other large retailers for about $4.50 a can, and include Ant & Roach Killer, Flying Insect Killer and Wasp & Hornet Killer.

Go to http://www.ecosmart.com and www.healthychild.org for more information about these products and general information about safe bug killing.