I’ve written several times about neonicotinoids, the insecticides that play a major role in the decline of bee colonies in the United States, potentially disrupting and even destroying the pollination cycle upon which our food supply is dependent.
Yes, my friends, this is serious. Very serious.
Now, since we are entering the gardening season, it’s time for an update.
Neonics, as they are commonly called, are a form of synthetic insecticide in use since the 1990s. They are a chemical family based on nicotine like that found in tobacco and nightshade plants like tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes and peppers.
Neonics permit the entire structure of plants treated with the chemicals, including the seed of most corn and soy crops. They affect the central nervous systems of insects, contributing to bee colony collapse disorder. Exposure is highly toxics to bees and almost always fatal to honeybees. Recent research shows neonics are extremely toxic to wild bees and butterflies and probably to many birds that eat insects.
A 2014 Harvard study linked neonics to bee colony collapse disorder, but also implicated mite infestations and insufficient food supply
In 2023, the US Environmental Protection Agency issued a “preliminary risk assessment” warning that a neonics called could be endangering bee colonies. The EPA issued a moratorium on licensing new neonic products, although there are already plenty on the market for home and commercial use. A final EPA action could happen any day now – or never.
Twelve states have run out of patience with the EPA’s 11 years of foot -dragging and implemented their own strict regulation or outright bans on the use of the chemicals for consumer use, seeds treatment and much more limited use for agricultural purposes. residential and lawn use.
While major plant retailers have for years pledged to reduce and/or eliminate neonics from the plants they sell, there is no definitive proof they have done so from Home Depot, Lowe’s and Walmart, accounting for 80%) of plants sold in the US).
Neonics are largely sold under the brand name Bayer (sound familiar? They’re the purveyors of RoundUp, a hugely toxic weed killer) and Ortho, but home-use products are also sold under other brand names.
If a product contains imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, acetamiprid or dinotefuran, it is a neonicotinoid. Please don’t buy it. Even the tiniest amount, in parts per billion, can kill bees.
In any case, my advice is to avoid neonics as insect control products (you can still buy them from many big box and small box stores and online). Don’t buy plants that have been treated with neonics to avoid endangering your local bee colonies.
Neonics are commonly applied to commercial plant crops, while all three big box stores have pledged to “phase out’ neonicotinoids from plants they sell, there is no definitive proof they have actually done so.
That’s why I’ve advocated against buying plants at these three chains as well as from supermarkets, which probably buy their plant stock from the same regional sources.
It’s hard to tell, but they is no way to be sure that neonics have been eliminated from the plants on sale right now.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
I’m a plant addict and tend buy way more than I need.
Buy local and ask a lot of questions! Most local growers make personal appearances at farmers markets. You can ask their policies and beware before buying. It’s also a good time to educate growers if they aren’t already educated about the dangers of neonics.
And if you’re shopping at Lowe’s, Home Depot or Walmart, ask questions of the staff. I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t know the answers, so please go up the food chain to the manager or even higher to express your concern and get correct answers.
Other articles on Neonicotinoids from Kathleen:
