Is it safe around children? +
Yes, with sensible precautions. Keep kids out of the room during application and until treated surfaces are fully dry — typically 15–30 minutes in normal ventilation. Once dry, the product is inert and poses no ongoing chemical exposure risk. Don't apply to surfaces children will mouth or lick directly. Store the concentrate bottle out of reach. Once mixed and applied at normal dilution, there are no synthetic nerve agents, no carcinogen-classified compounds, and no residual toxic film.
Is it safe around cats? +
Important: clove oil contains eugenol, which cats cannot metabolize safely — their livers lack the enzyme needed to process it. Home Defense and Outdoor Shield both contain clove oil. Keep cats completely out of treated areas until surfaces are fully dry. Garden Guard does not contain clove oil and is the safer option if cats have access to treated areas. When in doubt, keep pets away from any treated surface until dry and well-ventilated.
Is it safe around dogs? +
Generally yes, with the same precautions as for kids — keep dogs away during application and until surfaces dry. Dogs handle eugenol better than cats, but high-concentration direct exposure is still not ideal. Don't spray directly on dogs or on surfaces they'll immediately lick. At normal dilution on surfaces, the risk to dogs is very low. If you have a dog that obsessively licks floors, allow extra drying time and ventilate before re-entry.
Is it safe near fish or aquariums? +
No — and this needs to be direct. Castile soap (the primary active ingredient in all three formulas) is acutely toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. Even small amounts entering a fish tank can be harmful. Keep all three formulas well away from aquariums, ornamental ponds, and any water feature with aquatic life. Outdoors, don't spray near rain-drainage paths that lead to natural waterways or ponds.
Can I use it near food or in my kitchen? +
Yes, once dry. All active ingredients are on the EPA's Section 25(b) minimum-risk list, and several are FDA GRAS. Don't spray directly on food, food-prep surfaces in use, or open food containers. Treat baseboards, entry points, and cabinet exteriors when food is stored away. Once surfaces are dry, prepare food normally — the formula leaves no persistent chemical residue.
How do I dilute it? +
Add water to your spray bottle first, then add the concentrate (this prevents excess foaming). Standard ratios — 1 oz concentrate to 32 oz water for prevention, 1 oz to 16 oz for active problems, 1 oz to 8 oz for direct wasp/hornet treatment. For Garden Guard on sensitive plants, 1 oz to 48 oz. Shake 10 times before use and before each subsequent spray.
Will this work on a serious infestation? +
Honest answer: it depends on what you mean. Nada But Nature is built for prevention, maintenance, and light-to-moderate pest activity — disrupting ant trails, deterring spiders and roaches at entry points, killing wasps on contact, protecting garden plants, treating outdoor perimeters. What it won't do: clear an established roach colony living inside walls, eliminate a mature termite infestation, or solve bed bugs. Those scenarios require professional treatment regardless of product. Once a pro handles the acute problem, our formula works excellently as ongoing prevention.
Why am I still seeing bugs after I sprayed? +
A few possibilities. (1) No residual barrier after drying — unlike synthetic chemical sprays that leave a toxic film for weeks, our formula works on contact. Reapply every 5–7 days, or more for active problems. (2) The dilution may not match the situation — 1:32 is for prevention, 1:16 for active problems, 1:8 for wasps. (3) You may be treating only visible insects without addressing the entry point or trail. (4) If you've been seeing the same pest for 3–4 weeks of regular application, that's a signal you may have an established infestation that needs professional assessment.
How often do I need to reapply? +
Prevention: every 5–7 days at entry points, baseboards, perimeters, or plant surfaces. Reapply after rain outdoors. Active pest problems: every 3–4 days until activity subsides, then back to weekly prevention. Garden use: every 5–7 days during growing season, in the morning or evening (not midday sun), and after rain. Wasp and hornet nests: at dusk, retreat every 2–3 days until no activity is observed for 48 hours.
Will it stain wood, fabric, or paint? +
On most modern finished surfaces it dries clean. The orange and neem oil components are lightly colored, so at higher concentrations there can be a faint residue — Garden Guard with neem is the most likely to leave one on light-colored surfaces. On fabric, upholstery, or unfinished wood, do a small spot-test in a hidden corner first. For carpet edges or fabric, use the most dilute ratio (1:48) and blot rather than saturate.
Do I have to subscribe? +
No. Pest control needs change with the seasons, the weather, and what's actually happening in your home — not with a billing cycle someone else sets. Buy when you need it, in the formula that matches your situation. We'll never charge your card without your active choice. No subscription. Ever.
What's your return policy? +
30-day money-back guarantee. If you're not satisfied for any reason, contact us within 30 days of purchase and we'll refund your order in full. No hoops. We'd rather refund you than have you stuck with something that doesn't fit your needs.
Is this EPA registered? +
Our products are exempt from EPA registration under the Minimum Risk Pesticide provisions of FIFRA Section 25(b). This exemption applies to products whose active ingredients are on the EPA's established minimum-risk list — meaning the federal government has determined these ingredients pose low enough risk that they don't require the full pesticide registration process. All seven active ingredients in our formulas qualify: peppermint, clove, cedarwood, citronella, lemongrass, rosemary, and potassium salts of fatty acids (castile soap). "Exempt from registration" means meeting federal minimum-risk standards — not operating outside regulatory oversight.
