Approved materials and practices

Insect control

Weed control

Disease control

Vertebrate control

Prohibited materials and practices

Insect control

Weed control

Disease control

Vertebrate control

Approved Materials and Practices

The following insect pest control materials and practices are approved for use in organic crop production. Some approved materials have certain restrictions regarding their use in organic crop production. Always carefully read the label and any other documentation. Apply all materials with awareness and care.

Bacillus thuringiensis Liquid forms containing xylene are prohibited.
Beneficial insects
Boric acid Cannot be used on edible plant parts.
Codling moth granulosis virus
Cryolite or sodium fluoaluminate The mined material from Greenland is permitted.
Diatomaceous earth Use a dust mask when applying to prevent lung irritation.
Dormant oils Use only on woody plants as a dormant spray.
Garlic
Herbal preparations May not be extracted with synthetic solvents.
Insect extracts
Nematodes
Pheromones
Pyrethrums Naturally occurring forms are allowed. The pyrethrums are highly unstable in the presence of air, light and moisture. They have low mammalian toxicity and can cause dermatitis in humans. Use with caution.
Rotenone Use with caution. Rotenone is highly toxic to fish. Its persistence in the soil is unknown though it loses its effectiveness within one week. Should not be used on crops nearing harvest time. The active compounds, rotenoids, are present in a variety of legumes including soybeans.
Ryania Use with caution.The toxicological properties of ryania are largely unknown.
Sabadilla Use with caution.
Shells, ground Oyster, clam, lobster and crab
Soaps
Sulfur, elemental
Summer oils May be used on woody plants only, carrot and/or weed oils are prohibited.
Trapping substances
Tree seals May be petroleum based but may not contain synthetic chemicals or fungicides.
Virus sprays

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The following weed control materials and practices are approved for use in organic crop production. Some approved materials have certain restrictions regarding their use in organic crop production. Always carefully read the label and any other documentation. Apply all materials with awareness and care.

The following disease control materials and practices are approved for use in organic crop production. Some approved materials have certain restrictions regarding their use in organic crop production. Always carefully read the label and any other documentation. Apply all materials with awareness and care.

Antibiotics Naturally derived antibiotics are permitted for disease control.
Bordeaux mixes Use with caution. Excessive use of bordeaux may cause buildup of copper in the soil and limit the continued use.
Copper hydroxide
Copper sulfate Use with caution.Excessive use of bordeaux may cause buildup of copper in the soil and limit the continued use.
Dormant oils Use only on woody plants as a dormant spray.
Hydrated lime Foliar application as a fungicide only. May not be used as a liming material.
Hydrogen peroxide
Lime sulfur Foliar application as a fungicide only.
Soil pasteurization
Sulfur, elemental
Tree seals May be petroleum based but may not contain synthetic chemicals or fungicides.

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The following vertebrate pest control materials and practices are approved for use in organic crop production. Some approved materials have certain restrictions regarding their use in organic crop production. Always carefully read the label and any other documentation. Apply all materials with awareness and care.

Deer and rabbit repellents Acceptable if derived from a natural source.
Predators Cats, hawks, coyotes, airborne projectiles.
Rodent traps
Strychnine Underground use only.
Synthetic vitamin baits

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Prohibited Materials and Practices

Insect pest control materials and practices that are prohibited for use in organic crop production include, but are not limited to:

Weed control materials and practices that are prohibited for use in organic crop production include but are not limited to:

Disease control materials and practices that are prohibited for use in organic crop production include but are not limited to:

Soil fumigants Synthetic fungicides, fumigants, sterilants and bactericides

Vertebrate pest control materials and practices that are prohibited for use in organic crop production include but are not limited to:

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