A non-toxic, environmentally safe and easily employable insecticide and insect repellant is achieved by providing an aqueous composition incorporating ethanolamine based compounds, either independently or in combination with the ethanolamine based compounds being selected from both simple compounds and conjugated compounds. In one preferred embodiment, a highly effective composition is attained for safe, effective, direct topical application to humans and animals by employing between about 10% and 70% by volume of the entire composition of the ethanolamine-based compound. In alternate preferred embodiments, the insecticide is formulated for application to plants, trees, crops, and other vegetation to provide a composition which effectively controls bothersome insects, while being completely safe and non-injurious to the plant, tree, or crop, as well as to the flowers or fruit thereof. In addition, the compositions of this invention are completely biodegradable, and are safe to the environment and water supplies.