EarthKind Keep Pests Away — Without Harming the Environment

As the chill of winter fades and warm, balmy summer days come back around, so do pests: mosquitos, spiders, flies, and other critters may start to creep back into or around your home. With this in mind, many people turn to pest repellents that contain synthetic chemicals that may be harmful to humans, pets, and the environment (things like DEET, or N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, a man-made chemical that’s the active ingredient in many common bug sprays).

EarthKind makes plant-based, lab-proven pest control solutions that don’t contain these types of potentially harmful chemicals. “We all want a safe, healthy home,” says EarthKind founder Kari Warberg Block. “That includes protecting it from pests without harming the environment.” EarthKind partners with American farms to sustainably source the ingredients they use in their products.

Some of those ingredients include:

• Picaridin: A synthetic compound derived from black pepper plants that provides protection against mosquitos and ticks 
• Lemongrass oil: Disrupts ant pheromone trails, breaking their communication and preventing infestations
• Rosemary oil: Deters spiders by disrupting their sensory receptors, reducing their ability to build webs
• Corn cob: Provides a stable base for controlled ingredient release in many EarthKind products, offering continuous protection for up to 30 days

“EarthKind was built to give families peace of mind, knowing they can prevent pest problems naturally, without compromise,” Warberg Block says. “We’re leading a movement toward smarter, safer, more responsible pest control. And I hope everyone reading this knows that they’re part of that movement, too.”

Preventing Pests Naturally with EarthKind Founder Kari Warberg Block

How was EarthKind founded?

“It all started around my kitchen table in North Dakota. I was a mom, a farm wife, and someone who really didn’t want to bring harmful chemicals into my home — especially with kids and pets around. At the time, we had a big problem with mice getting into our farm equipment, and nothing out there solved the problem, it was all poisons or traps.

I got to thinking, back when I worked at a department store, I’d get terrible headaches from the strong perfumes; it made me realize just how much scents can affect our health. Later, while walking in the woods, I noticed balsam fir trees were untouched by rodents, unlike others nearby. That’s when it clicked: nature already had a solution. I just needed to figure out how to use it to keep pests out safely and effectively.”

How are the ingredients in your pest control products better for people and the planet?

“Ingredient transparency matters, that’s why we put ours on the front label of every product. All of our ingredients are inspired by Mother Nature. We took her ingenious solutions, packaged them in easy-to-use containers, tested them in a lab to prove that they work, and made it simple for anyone to keep pests out — without killing or poisoning them.

EarthKind’s pouch products are made with plant fiber and botanical oils; they’re super simple. The mosquito spray is still inspired by nature, but the active ingredient, picaridin, relies on a biosynthetic compound similar to what is found in the pepper plant. Nature already solved the problem; we just made it accessible for everyone.”

How do you approach sustainability at EarthKind?

“Being ‘earthkind’ means working in harmony with nature, so sustainability is built into everything we do. We keep things lean and green, from our package design to our manufacturing practices.

Our ingredients make use of agricultural byproducts that would have ended up in landfills. This way, we’re not just reducing waste, we’re creating additional revenue streams for family-owned farms.

Even the way our products work, making pests avoid the area without killing them, is sustainable and helps to preserve the delicate balance of our ecosystems.”

Your products are made with 80% farm-grown ingredients. Can you tell us a bit more about your relationship with farmers?

“I’ve got farming in my blood, so I’ve always believed in supporting American farmers and rural communities. The plant fibers used in our pouches come from small, family farms in the USA. In fact, we helped create new supply chains just to keep those ingredients local and sustainable. When you buy EarthKind, you’re not only keeping your home protected — you’re investing in the livelihoods of growers across the country.”

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3 Must-Have Pest Repellent Products for a Summer Outdoors

When summer — and, inevitably, pests — come back around,  these are the three products Warberg Block alwaus keeps on hand:

• EarthKind Stay Away® Mosquitoes. “This is a must if you want to enjoy the outdoors without getting eaten alive. It repels mosquitoes for up to 14 hours and ticks for up to 8 hours, and it’s made to use on the whole family, even young children and during pregnancy.”
• EarthKind Stay Away® Ants & Cockroaches. “Ants love to sneak in when the weather heats up, especially around patios, kitchens, or RVs. These pouches keep them out naturally, with no mess or stink.”
• EarthKind Stay Away® Spiders. “Perfect for garages, basements, or cabins — anywhere spiders like to show up. You’ll love the scent, and spiders won’t.”