Organic pesticides are largely insecticides. Even if a product is considered to be organic, it is still a pesticide. It is important to be careful when using any pesticide, even organic or natural pesticides. Just because a product is thought to be organic, or natural, does not mean that it is not toxic. Some organic pesticides are as toxic, or even more toxic, than many synthetic chemical pesticides.
Organic pesticides have specific modes of action, just as do synthetic pesticides.
To determine the relative toxicity of any pesticide to humans, check the signal word given on the pesticide label. Signal words are not an indication of the potential for environmental harm. While some organic pesticides may be nontoxic or are only slightly toxic to people, they may be very toxic to other animals. For instance, the organic pesticide ryania is very toxic to fish. Also, some organic pesticides may be toxic to beneficial insects, such as honeybees, if they are combined with other materials, such as combining pyrethrins with rotenone.