• Certified organic produce must only use certified organic pesticides.organic tomatoes with organic label in clear focus image by Paul Hill from Fotolia.com
  
  Botanical pesticides are derived from plant extracts and are commonly used in organic farming. Though they can still be toxic to animals and humans, they lower the risk of chemical buildup in or on organic foods or organic farm soils. These pesticides are certified organic, but organic pesticides usually require more rigorous application and may harm the environment as much as non-organic pesticides, according to the University of California at Berkeley. There are several botanical pesticides certified for organic use.
  
  

Nicotine Sulfate Pesticide

• Nicotine sulfate is one of the oldest known pesticides. Nicotine sulfate is toxic to most warm-blooded creatures but breaks down quickly once applied. Nicotine sulfates require extreme care when handling. This pesticide kills insects through interference with the transmitter substance between nerves and muscles, effectively halting necessary life functions such as breathing.
  
  

Sabadilla Pesticide

• Sabadilla pesticide is manufactured from the seeds of the sabadilla lily. Sabadilla pesticide is considered the least toxic of all organic pesticides, but it breaks down quickly in sunlight and leaves no residue. The alkaloid veratrine is the active ingredient in sabadilla pesticide. Sabadilla is a contact poison and is likely a stomach poison as well; however, the low toxicity of sabadilla may not stop some insects.
  
  

Rotenone Pesticide

• Rotenone pesticides are manufactured from the resinous compound rotenone, found in the roots of members of the Leguminoceae plant family. Rotenone pesticide is slow acting and is toxic to most animals, especially fish. Rotenone stops insects from feeding, which eventually leads to their death.
  
  

Neem Pesticide

• Neem pesticide is derived from the neem tree native to India. Neem contains two insecticidal compounds: azadirachtin and salannin. Neem extracts were used 4,000 years ago in India and Africa for medicinal and pest-control purposes. Neem is not highly toxic to mammals, and users can expect slow kills. Neem pesticides stop insect molting, which eventually causes them to die.
  
  

Pyrethrins Pesticide

• Pyrethrum is a widely-used organic pesticide derived from a chrysanthemum plant variant common to Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Ecuador. Pyrethrins can debilitate insects immediately, but many insects recover from the effects unless pyrethrins are combined with other pesticides.