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Ingredients Glossary

Earth’s Ally Formulas

We have a bigger responsibility to you and our planet. At Earth’s Ally, everything inside the bottle is thoughtfully chosen with people, pets and the planet in mind. We’re proud to offer safe and effective formulas and list all ingredients on the front label of our products and in the glossary below.

Earth’s Ally Ingredients Glossary

Active Ingredients
Ingredient Name
What It Does
CAS No.
Ingredient Classification
Citric acid
Active ingredient against microorganisms
Found In: Disease Control
77-92-9
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Clove oil
Active ingredient against microorganisms and mortality against insects
Found In: 3-in-1 Plant Spray, Insect Control
8000-34-8
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Peppermint oil
Active ingredient for repellency and mortality against insects
Found In: 3-in-1 Plant Spray, Insect Control 
8006-90-4
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Rosemary oil
Active ingredient for repellency and mortality against insects
Found In: 3-in-1 Plant Spray, Insect Control 
8000-25-7
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Sodium chloride (sea salt)
Active ingredient for dehydrating plant cells  
Found In: Weed & Grass Killer, Weed & Grass Killer Concentrate
7647-14-5
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Thyme oil 
Active ingredient against microorganisms, some
repellency and mortality against insects
Found In: 3-in-1 Plant Spray 
8007-46-3
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Inert Ingredients
Ingredient Name
What It Does
CAS No.
Ingredient Classification
Ascorbyl palmitate  
Stabilizer, antioxidant
Found In: Insect Control 
137-66-6
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Butyl lactate 
Solvent
Found In: 3-in-1 Plant Spray 
138-22-7
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Citric acid
pH modifier 
Found In: Weed & Grass Killer Concentrate
77-92-9
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Ethyl lactate 
Solvent
Found In: Insect Control, Disease Control 
97-64-3
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Glycerol monooleate 
Emulsifier 
Found In: 3-in-1 Plant Spray, Insect Control 
111-03-5 
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Isopropyl myristate
Solvent, emollient 
Found In: 3-in-1 Plant Spray 
110-27-0
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Lactose
Surfactant
Found In: Disease Control
63-42-3
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Lauric acid

Natural fatty acid for blend and
stability of oils in formulation

Found In: 3-in-1 Plant Spray
143-07-7
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Maltodextrin
Surfactant
Found In: Weed & Grass Killer Concentrate 
9050-36-6
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Myristic acid
Natural fatty acid for blend and
stability of oils in formulation
Found In: 3-in-1 Plant Spray 
544-63-8
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Oleic acid
Natural fatty acid for blend and
stability of oils in formulation
Found In: 3-in-1 Plant Spray 
112-80-1
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Palmitic acid
Natural fatty acid for blend and stability of oils in formulation
Found In: 3-in-1 Plant Spray 
57-10-3
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Potassium sorbate
Preservative
Found In: Disease Control
24634-61-5
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Silica (amorphous fumed)
Anti-clumping agent
Found In: Weed & Grass Killer Concentrate
112945-52-5
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Soap
Surfactant
Found In: Weed & Grass Killer
N/A
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Sodium acetate
Preservative
Found In: Disease Control
127-09-3
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Sodium benzoate
Preservative
Found In: Disease Control
532-32-1
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Sodium citrate
pH modifier
Found In: Weed & Grass Killer Concentrate
994-36-5
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Sorbitol
Stabilizer, humectant
Found In: 3-in-1 Plant Spray
50-70-4
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Stearic acid
Natural fatty acid for blend and stability of oils in formulation
Found In: 3-in-1 Plant Spray
57-11-4
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Vinegar
Solvent
Found In: Weed & Grass Killer
8028-52-2
Minimum Risk, Safe Ingredient, FIFRA 25(b) Exempt
Yucca schidigera extract
Surfactant
Found In: Weed & Grass Killer Concentrate
223749-05-1
Animal feed item

Learn More About Inert Ingredients

What is the difference between active and inert ingredients?

Active ingredients prevent, destroy, repel or mitigate a pest, while inert ingredients improve product performance or usability.

What are the different categories of inert ingredients?

  • Carriers: help transport the product to the target pest
  • Emulsifiers: improve the stability of the product during storage
  • Preservatives: extend the product shelf life 
  • Solvents: assist in dilution process
  • Surfactants: aid in sticking or spreading the product on surfaces

Common (but potentially confusing) Pesticide Terms

  • Natural: “Natural” does not mean safe. Natural pesticides are made by other organisms, usually for their own defense, or are derived from a natural source such as a mineral or plant. While most natural pesticides, like botanical oils and natural dusts, are safer for humans and the environment than synthetic pesticides, there are many things in nature (like venom, morphine, asbestos, arsenic, and formaldehyde for example) that are not safe to humans, domestic animals and pollinators. 
  • Organic: “Organic” does not mean safe. Organic is a term used to classify food products. Pesticides used in the production of food that meet organic standards are certified by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). Formulas with the OMRI Listed® logo meet the USDA requirements for organic produce. 
  • Safe: “Safe” means safe. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates all pesticides and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is a U.S. federal law that guides regulation to ensure the safety of users, consumers and the environment. There are 44 active ingredients and 298 inert ingredients on the FIFRA 25(b) lists that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and exempt from EPA registration. All Earth’s Ally products are thoughtfully formulated with ingredients from the FIFRA 25(b) lists and formulated to meet the criteria for minimum risk pesticides.  

Have more questions about our ingredients?

View our FAQs or contact customer support.

Take action in your community

Our friends at Non-Toxic Neighborhoods are committed to protecting every child from harmful and synthetic pesticides where they learn and play. Learn how to ban harmful pesticides in your community with the Non-Toxic Neighborhoods Playbook. Download the toolkit.