How can we make safer pesticides?  The answer is simple -- look to nature, because nature does it best.  Plants have been protecting themselves from insects, molds, and herbivores for millions of years.  One of the ways that plants do this is by creating protective compounds such as essential oils.  Aromatic essential oils, such as lavender, thyme, and peppermint, have well-demonstrated insecticidal and antimicrobial properties. These oils have great potential as natural insecticides.  Ideally, we would like to gather protective compounds from one plant and give them to another.  To do this we need to mix essential oils with water, and that's the problem.   Nanotechnology is the key.  High-energy processing in the presence of carefully selected surfactants (plant-based surface active compounds) encapsulates extremely small oil droplets in a package called a micelle.  It's a game changer!  Once encapsulated, the formula can be mixed with water and sprayed directly onto plants.  It's an elegant solution that allows us to develop effective pesticides that are safe for people, pets, and the environment.