Welcome to the newest feature on Kids Discover Nature -- The Undercover Mother.  The purpose of  posts in this series will be to help parents and caregivers confidentially purchase nature and outdoor related products.  Reviews written as part of this feature will help you determine the best products for your families as you pursue your quest to connect with nature.  Special attention will be paid to help you identify whether products are safe and healthy for use around children and whether they are are friendly to the environment. 

This week the Undercover Mother was shopping at a popular garden center for deer repellent.  As I stood in front of the product display that included repellents of all types, my eye was immediately attracted to Ortho's EcoSense Brand Snail and Slug Killer.  I was quickly distracted from what I was originally doing and had to take a closer look thinking, "has Ortho jumped on the 'green' bandwagon and really started manufacturing safe and environmentally friendly products?"  I was skeptical.


The Issue
Is Ortho marketing its products with labeling that makes it look "green" or eco-friendly, or is the company truly manufacturing a product that is safe for children and the environment?  Knowing that many parents and children are connecting with nature this time of year by planting flower and vegetable gardens together, I decided it was important to research this question.

Further Research
The Ortho name itself made me cringe due to its image as the maker of chemical fertilizers and pesticides that are dangerous for children, pets and the environment.  However, I gave the company the benefit of the doubt and read the label further to determine whether it's claim on the front label "can be used around pets and wildlife"  and " for organic gardening" was acceptable in my view.

The active ingredient is iron phosphate, which occurs naturally in soil, and is the foundation to the company's claim that that it is acceptable for use around pets and wildlife.  Continued reading revealed that iron phosphate makes up one percent of all the ingredients.  I wondered what the others were and contacted Scott's Miracle Company, marketer of the Ortho brand and asked the customer service representative.  According to the representative, the other "inert" ingredients are proprietary, and therefore cannot be divulged.  Additionally, according to the representative, "children and pets can re-enter the area of application immediately upon use of the pesticide."  However, there is a prominent warning label on the front of the package that reads "CAUTION: Keep out of reach of children.  See back label for additional instructions."

I did more research on iron phosphate and found that it is approved for use in organic gardening and does biodegrade.  This might make you assume it is eco-friendly.  However, according to the Portland Nursery, the term organic, when referred to organic gardening,  has evolved to mean using organic and naturally-derived products, as opposed to synthetics -- those that are artificially or chemically-created in a laboratory.  I discovered that these organic and naturally derived products do carry risks.  For example, Pyrethrins are derived from the seed casings of Pyrethrum plants (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium) and are potent insecticides.  They are also biodegradable, making them safer than synthetic options - but they can be irritants to humans (eyes, skin, respiratory system) and a hazardous to aquatic life.  In fact, the label of EcoSense states that the product is hazardous to human and domestic animals and causes eye irritation.  It also provides instructions to call the poison control center if swallowed.  I understand that this is a standard caution statement, however, I would not consider this a product that is safe to use around children.  Especially since there is an additional sentence that states, "store this product in the original container and keep in a safe storage area away from children and domestic animals" and "do not contaminate water, food, or feed...."

The EPA has approved iron phosphate as more environmentally friendly then other commonly marketed pesticides.  It was determined by the EPA that no toxicity has been seen in mammals, birds, fish, beetles and earthworms, but I have to wonder what its effects are on beneficial insects like grasshoppers and other soft-skinned animals like toads, frogs and salamanders.

Its use clearly has risks. Also included on the back label is a precautionary statement that instructs users not to allow it to run-off into storm drains, drainage ditches, gutters or surface waters and that it should be applied when weather will be calm and dry.  In other words, as long as pets and wildlife (land animals) don't eat or come into contact with it, it is safe.  However, if you are a frog, turtle or water insect, you might be in big trouble!

Conclusions
Overall, Scotts Miracle Grow Company's definition of "eco" and "organic" is clearly defined by the EPA's regulations of what is environmentally acceptable.  I came to the conclusion that the Ortho EcoSense brand is partly a marketing ploy and a way to capitalize on consumers' "green" awareness, and partly a competitor to the many other iron phosphates that are already on the market and used by organic gardeners.  If you still are not convinced, at the bottom of the front label on EcoSense branded products is the most revealing disclosure of all.  It states "*not intended to imply environmental safety either alone or compared to other products." 

My advice is that just because it looks "green" doesn't mean it is green.  Before purchasing this or any other pesticide, be sure to read the label. Don't be fooled by appearances!


Recommendations
Dealing with slugs can be frustrating for sure!  It is disappointing to toil and labor to plant and grow flowers and vegetables, then to only have them eaten by slugs and snails.  My recommendation is to steer clear of the EcoSense brand and iron phosphates in general unless extremely necessary.  Try the many natural methods for repelling and killing them first .  This link provides great tips as well as instructions for going on a night time family slug and snail hunt.  Now there's a game for family fun night! Yuck!  But if you are really committed to connecting your kids with nature, you could give it a try.  If you do, let me know about it!  You are more die hard than I!