Last summer we posted an article here in PenBay Pilot as an advertising affiliate (August 9, 2018, “A few words about ‘natural’ tick repellents”). We have been informed by the Maine Board of Pesticides that we are in
violation of, well, several statutes, actually. We’d like to correct that right here.

40 CFR FIFRA 152.25(f), Condition 6:

“The label cannot include any false or misleading statements. Any statement directly or indirectly implying that the pesticide is recommended or endorsed by any agency of the federal government.” *

We stated that Tick Me Off Maine® was “registered with the EPA and the Maine and Vermont Board of Pesticides”. We ARE registered with pesticides boards in both states, but we are exempt from EPA
registration based on our ingredients; (see FiFRA 25(b)). During our initial start-up of our business, we had to apply for (and received) a number through the EPA, and it was our mistake to consider - and write - that that
was “registration”.

40 CFR FIFRA 152.25(f), Condition 4:

“The product must not bear claims either to control or mitigate organisms that pose a threat to human health, or insects or rodents carrying specific diseases.”

Again, our bad. We don’t ever tout Tick Me Off Maine® as a disease-preventative, and don’t discuss solutions to illnesses, as we mention in the first paragraph of the article in question, where we suggested readers consult physicians on the subject. We were told that “simply mentioning tick-borne diseases associates your product with prevention”. We regret that error, and have removed all mention of tick-borne illnesses from our website and will, in all future publication.

Maine Revised Statute Title 7.§605 Misbranded

1. False, misleading or inconspicuous labeling. As applied to any pesticide subject to this subchapter means that:
A. Its labeling bears any statement, design or graphic representation relative to the pesticide or to its
ingredients that is false or misleading in any particular; [2005, c.620, §4 (AMD).]

In the article, the ingredients guidelines and the mandated expiration date were attributed to the Board of Pesticides incorrectly; these are federal mandates. And “100% of-the-earth ingredients”, which is how we
described our five ingredients, “is not an approved claim and carries no meaning in regards to pesticides”. So scratch that, too.

We don’t go out into the world intending to mislead or dupe people into thinking we’re something we’re not, and we’re rule-followers by and large. We think our customers know this, and we so appreciate your business.

Whatever your reasons are for not wanting ticks, we hope you’ll consider Tick Me Off Maine®

*Per the Maine Board of Pesticides, “The term labeling extends to the website and any publication associated with the pesticide product.”

Tick Me Off Maine® is a good tick repellent. We are based in Islesboro, Maine and you can learn more about us at www.tickmeoffmaine.com or mary@tickmeoffmaine.com.