Our POV on pest control
At Sunday, we know cultivating a yard you love doesn't end with the plants you grow—a big part of enjoying your yard safely is managing pests. But by following traditional pest control techniques, you'd just be solving one problem by creating another (read: harsh chemicals and hazmat suits).
In order to address growing concerns about traditional pesticides, we've developed a robust, sustainable pest control strategy that combines effective insecticide alternatives, environmental consciousness, and IPM strategies.
Sunday Tip:
What’s IPM? IPM, or Integrated Pest Management, means using a combination of proactive and natural pest prevention strategies to minimize the use of harmful chemicals when possible.
Looking back to look forward
For decades, traditional pesticides—particularly insecticides—have been indispensable in agriculture and pest control industries. In fact, by protecting agricultural crops against damaging pests, they've supported food production for billions. This is incredibly valuable; however, these powerful formulas and techniques can pose a spillover threat to the following groups:
- Non-target species (like beneficial insects and wildlife)
- Water resources
- Human health
Our approach
It's these challenges (and future challenges with shifting weather and warming temperatures ahead) that have propelled us to champion sustainable pest control alternatives.
Effective and less harmful ingredients
Effective pest control shouldn't rely on blanket pesticide applications or one-time-use toxic products.
We're committed to harnessing the power of naturally derived ingredients like essential oils, spinosad, and pyrethrin. Not only do these bio-based or botanically derived ingredients reduce exposure to harsh chemicals, but also they're effective and quick-acting. What's not to love?
We use a variety of natural ingredients, each chosen for its proven effectiveness and environmental friendliness. Take a look at our core active ingredients:
Lemongrass Oil
Found in Mosquito Deleto
- How it works: upon contact kills mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks (adults and larvae) and repels populations when used as directed
- What it controls: mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks
Cedarwood Oil
Found in Nix Ticks, Mosquito Deleto
- How it works: ingredients are naturally toxic upon contact to adults and larval pests (pesticidal); repels new pests (repellent)
- What it controls: ticks, fleas and mosquitoes
Pyrethrin and Canola Oil
Found in Bug Doom
- How it works: This formula of six chemical compounds from chrysanthemum flowers combined with a natural synergist act on contact to affect the nervous system (pyrethrins) and respiratory system (canola oil) of pests.
- What it controls: a variety of pests including ants, spiders, centipedes, house flies, beetles, crickets, etc.*
Spinosad
Found in Ant Adios, Fire Ant Fighter
- How it works: Derived from a soil bacterium, spinosad affects the pest nervous system upon ingestion; when bait is carried back to the nest as food, it kills the entire colony (including the queen).
- What it controls: ants, fire ants, harvester ants, crickets, earwigs, and more
Sunday Tip:
Noticed we don’t use the words “safe” or “non-toxic”? That’s because those words are misleading and false advertisements of pesticide products. There is really no such thing as a “safe” or “non-toxic” pesticide. All pesticides can be harmful if used inappropriately or incorrectly. This is why these products require pesticide labels that include proper application, safety information, and potential risks if not used as directed. By following a pesticide label, you’re adhering to the best practices, product use, and keeping yourself and your family safe.
Proper use and targeted application
Using ingredients that cause less harm demands a focus on correct application. In other words, it's not just what's in it but how you use it.! We stress responsible product use and reading the label prior to use not just for efficacy, but to ensure safety in pest control management.
In addition to following directed use, it’s equally as important to adhere to responsible application. We always recommend treating "protected zones"—areas where people frequently gather—and spot treating as needed, rather than indiscriminately spraying your entire yard or home. This targeted approach ensures efficient pest control, minimizes overuse, and helps guarantees correct product use.
Our commitment to environmental responsibility
Environmental sensitivity and responsibility are the cornerstones of Sunday’s pest control philosophy. Guided by EPA evaluations, Safety Data Sheets, product registrations, and EPA regulations, we design our products to minimize both environmental impact and health risks. We intentionally select ingredients that have low environmental persistence to ensure they naturally biodegrade over time, and we consciously avoid harmful conventional chemicals. Additionally, we adhere to stringent standards to ensure minimal Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements for safe use.
Sunday Tip:
Conventional insecticide chemicals are those that are known to cause significant risks or hazards to human health and persist in the environment longer —they are also ingredients we won’t ever use.
A natural path to pest prevention
Advancing into a new era of pest control requires more than just using fewer harmful pesticides—it requires a fundamental shift in approach. Our goal is proactive prevention using natural methods, rather than merely reacting to pest problems.
Our science team has meticulously researched natural pest prevention techniques that align with the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM is an environmentally sensitive approach that emphasizes accurate identification, effective pest exclusion practices, and, when necessary, the use of less harmful chemical solutions. When properly implemented, IPM not only controls existing pest populations but also deters future infestations.
Examples of foundational IPM
- removing standing water
- installing screens and sealing gaps in homes
- maintaining vegetation at a safe distance from homes or garages
- trimming shrubs to reduce moisture and pest habitats
Sunday pest control
We are passionate about merging science and innovation to provide pest control solutions that strike a balance between managing pests and preserving delicate ecosystems. This belief is what drives our mission toward a safer, more sustainable approach to pest control.
Developed with our philosophy of effective and less harmful pest control in mind, our comprehensive product line offers solutions for both indoor and outdoor use. They are easy to use and reinforce our commitment to better solutions for people, pets, and the planet.
Highlights of our pest control lineup
Mosquito Deleto Mosquito Spray for Yards (2-Pack)
- Easy hose-on application
- Effective for up to 4 weeks
- No synthetic pesticides
- Kills on contact
Ant Adios Insect & Ant Killer (2-pack)
- Ready-to-use
- Effective for up to 4 weeks
- OMRI-listed for organic gardening
- See results in 3–14 days
Bug Doom Home Insect Control Gallon with Wand
- Made with chrysanthemum extract & canola oil
- Fights dozens of different pests
- Protects your home's perimeter
- Easy wand application
Pest Control FAQ
When are pests, pests?
Pests, such as insects or other wildlife, are an integral part of our natural landscapes. They play essential roles in food webs, pollination, and soil health. However, they become "pests" when they inhabit places they shouldn't be, like our homes and human-made structures. Most of the time, they are beneficial to our ecosystem, pose no harm to our health, and should be left unbothered.
Why don’t Sunday pest control products alone remove pests?
Using pest control products alone doesn't provide a permanent solution to pest problems. Without strategies to limit their habitats and restrict their access to human-occupied areas, pests are likely to return. That's why the integration of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies along with the use of Sunday pest control products is essential.
Are we reducing insect habitats everywhere?
No, Sunday’s pest control strategy focuses on controlling pests in human-occupied spaces or "protected zones," while acknowledging the importance of preserving habitats for beneficial insects and creatures that share our ecosystems. All Sunday pest control product labels advise against causing harm to pollinators, crucial habitats, and beneficial organisms.
