This chart rates the active ingredient in some of the most common pesticides for home growers. Some chemicals have a low or no mortality rate of commonly used beneficial insects. Other chemicals have a high mortality rate. These should be used with caution or not at all.
- Low to No Mortality Rate = A few losses, but generally safe to use.
- Low to Moderate Mortality Rate = Has an effect, but many beneficals will survive.
- Moderate Mortality Rate = Some will survive, but a lot of beneficials will be lost.
- Moderate to High Mortality Rate = Pretty aggressive. Most beneficials will be gone.
- High Mortality Rate = Pretty effective in killing all beneficials.
| Household Product | Active Ingredient | General Compatibility with Commonly Used Beneficial Insects |
|---|---|---|
| Arber Organic Bio Insecticide | Heat-killed burkholderia spp, strain A396 | No - Moderate Mortality Rate |
| Trifecta Crop Control | Essential Oils (Thyme, Clove, Garlic, Peppermint, Corn, Geraniol, and Rosemary) & Citric Acid | No - Moderate Mortality Rate |
| Mighty Mint Plant Pest Protection | Essential Oils (Peppermint, Rosemary, and Geraniol) | No - Moderate Mortality Rate |
| Fungus Gnat Death Drops | Bacillus thuringiensis (israelensis Strain BMP 144) | Yes - Low to No Mortality Rate |
| Monterey Garden Insect Spray | Spinosad | No - Moderate to High Mortality Rate |
| Neem Oil | Neem Extract | No - Low to Moderate Mortality Rate |
| Bonide All Seasons | Mineral Oil | No - Moderate to High Mortality Rate |
| Southern Ag Natural Pyrethrin | Pyrethrin | No - Moderate to High Mortality Rate |
| Safer Brand Toamato & Vegetable | Pyrethrins & Potassium Salts of Fatty Acids | No - Moderate to High Mortality Rate |
| Bonide Insecticidal Soap | Potassium Salts of Fatty Acids | No - Moderate to High Mortality Rate |
| Bonide Systemic Housplant Insect Control | Acephate | No - High Mortality Rate |
| Bonide Captain Jacks Dead Bug | Spinosad | No - Moderate to High Mortality Rate |
| Ortho Insect Killer Rose & Flower | Deltamethrin | No - High Mortality Rate |
| Bonide Eight Insect Control | Permethrin | No - Moderate to High Mortality Rate |
| Safer Brand Insect Killing Soap | Potassium Salts of Fatty Acids | No - Moderate to High Mortality Rate |
| BioAdvanced Organics Houseplant Insect Killer and Mite Control | Sulfur & Pyrethrins | No - Moderate to High Mortality Rate |
| Garden Safe Houseplant and Garden Insect Killer | Pyrethrins & Canola Oil | No - Moderate to High Mortality Rate |
| Bayer Advanced Natria Insecticidal Soap | Potassium Salts of Fatty Acids | No - Moderate to High Mortality Rate |
| Raid House & Garden Insect Killer | d-Phenothrin & Prallethrin (Synthetic Pyrethroids) | No - High Mortality Rate |
| Sevin Insect Killer Dust | zeta-Cypermethrin & Bifenthrin | No - High Mortality Rate |
| STEM Kills Plant & Garden Insects | Cedarwood Oil & Sodium Lauryl Sulfate | No - low to Moderate Mortality Rate |
