UPDATE MAY 2019

We are no longer selling Orange Guard. The information below may still be helpful if you source it elsewhere.

For the second time now, a member of my family has assumed that the Mortein NaturGard insect killers were a safe and natural alternative to chemical sprays, purchased it and brought it home, only to realise that it's not completely natural. They didn't realise until I pointed it out though, so buyer beware.

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This time, I felt the need to write about it. Like Dairy Farmers saying their milk has A2 Protein in it, making many people think that it's A2 milk (which it most certainly is NOT), the labelling on this can (at a glance) has made two people in my family assume it's natural.

Before we get started, I would like to get one thing clear, I have nothing against the Mortein product. While others may feel the need to tell you how toxic it is, I'm not remotely interested in doing that.  If I could have this sprayed in my home and not reacted to it, my life would be a whole lot simpler. But it's not, and I can't. What I don't want is for people to buy it, think it's 100% natural, spray it around and then react to it.

I'm more sensitive than most, and I can't have this sprayed in my home without it causing me health problems. So when two people in my family come home and declare they have found a natural fly spray, I wonder how many other homes it happens in. By all means, if this is the product you want, purchase it and use it. I just want people to be informed. You're all smart enough to make your own choice once you're armed with the right information. If you want a truly natural crawling insect killer, there's a natural alternative. Orange Guard. And it's registered with the APVMA, so you know it works.

From the Mortein website:-

"Inspired by the crisp air of Mount Kosciuszko National Park; this odourless spray effectively kills flies, mosquitoes and other flying pests that invade your home. With more than 90 per cent natural ingredients and 0.2 per cent trusted synthetic actives, it will take care of business and leave your home smelling like the fresh air of Mount Kosciuszko."

Whenever I hear the words "Inspired by the crisp air of ......" and "leave your home smelling like the fresh air of Mount Kosciuszko", that's marketing speak for GREEN WASHING.

Granted, this product contains a minimum of 90% natural ingredients and it's probably better than most, but there are close to 10% of its ingredients that aren't natural. For a sensitive person, a person who is chemically compromised, this is a LOT. It has 0.2% synthetic active, but there's almost 10% unaccounted for. If you want to use it, I'm sure it works. I have no doubt it's an effective insect killer, but if you're trying to rid your home of chemicals, or like me, you have no other choice but to do so, there is a natural alternative, and it is a registered crawling insect killer with the APVMA, the government body, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.

Note: Anything that advertises that it KILLS an animal, needs to be registered with the APVMA. It's a long and expensive process, which is why the natural mosquito repellent section of our store has products that are formulated to make you less attractive to mozzies and are not formulated or advertised to kill them. (update May 2019 - most natural insect repellents have now gone through the APVMA process and are registered)

Orange Guard - Australia's first fully registered natural crawling insect killer

Orange Guard is the first registered natural crawling insect killer in Australia. We first put it on our shelves over 3  years ago now. There was a period of around 12 months where it wasn't available as the company was sold to someone else. Despite the price tag (yes, it's an expensive alternative to the Mortein), it has been a popular and thriving product in our store. It uses the active ingredient d-limonene which is derived from steam-distilled orange peel (which is how essential oils are made).  This is also why it smells like orange when you spray it. Sorry, they couldn't quite get that "Mount Kosciuszko fresh air" in to the bottle, but oranges are pretty fresh & zesty 😉

How does it work? What is it made from?

The d-limonene from the orange peel breaks down the waxy coating of insects and suffocates them. It's safe to use around pets and children. It is made from natural edible plant extracts and water. HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO CONSUME IT. All the ingredients meet the FDA's GRAS (generally regarded as safe) food grade standards. The d-limonene is commonly found in food products, air freshener, pet shampoo and other products. It is a water based formula with a natural emulsifier (for the oil and water to mix) and it is 100% biodegradable. There's no need to mask up, wear gloves, or leave the room immediately after you spray.

What does it kill?

The Orange Guard Crawling Insect Killer was tested and registered to kill insects such as ants, cockroaches and fleas and it kills on contact. It is not officially registered to kill spiders, but we have spoken to customers who have had some success. Note: spiders are dangerous (and can be deadly) and you should always proceed with caution. Do not rely on this spray to instantly kill a spider if you are in a dangerous situation.

It's safe to spray on pet bedding or in the home if you get an infestation of fleas from a pet. It's safe to spray around kids and you don't need to leave the room or mask up while you use it.