Updated 5/14/18. Under construction.
What are Neonicotinoids?
Neonicotinoids are a family of insecticides encompassing 8 main chemicals: acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam. These specific class of pesticides are commonly cited as being harmful towards honey and bumble bees [1]. However, some neonicotinoids are more harmful than others.
Why are Neonicotinoids Harmful?
Note that the following information relates to honey bees (Apis mellifera), and bumble bees (Bombus spp.) .
Neonicotinoids have varying affects on different plants and therefore vary in potency for bees visiting the affected flora [2]. If a dosage of these pesticides doesn't kill the bee immediately, which it often does not, the bee may suffer a series of consequences including [3]:
Honey bees
These consequences contribute to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).
Neonicotinoids have varying affects on different plants and therefore vary in potency for bees visiting the affected flora [2]. If a dosage of these pesticides doesn't kill the bee immediately, which it often does not, the bee may suffer a series of consequences including [3]:
Honey bees
- problems with flight and navigation
- reduced taste sensitivity
- slower learning of new tasks
- reductions in food consumption
- reduction in reproduction
These consequences contribute to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).
Who Uses Neonicotinoids?
Neonicotinoids are used widely on farms, as well as around homes, schools, and city landscapes. Home garden products containing neonicotinoids can legally be applied in far greater concentrations in gardens than they can be on farms – sometimes at concentrations as much as 120 times as great [4]. This is why the testing of local honey is important in understanding local usage of pesticides.
Products Containing Neonicotinoids
Acetamiprid
- Ortho Bug B Gon Garden Insect Killer
- Ortho Bug B Gon for Lawns
- Ortho Flower, Fruit and Vegetable Insect Killer
- Ortho Rose and Flower Insect Killer
- Ortho Rose Pride Insect Killer
- Bayer Advanced All-in-One Rose & Flower Care granules
- Green Light Grub Control with Arena
- Green Light Tree & Shrub Insect Control with Safari 2 G
- Safari
- Ortho Tree & Shrub Insect Control Plus Miracle Gro Plant Food
- Bayer Advanced 3-in-1 Insect, Disease, & Mite Control
- Bayer Advanced 12 Month Tree & Shrub Insect Control
- Bayer Advanced 12 Month Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed
- Bayer Advanced Fruit, Citrus & Vegetable Insect Control
- Bayer Advanced All-in-One Rose & Flower Care concentrate
- DIY Tree Care Products Multi-Insect Killer
- Ferti-lome 2-N-1 Systemic
- Hi-Yield Systemic Insect Spray
- Knockout Ready-To-Use Grub Killer
- Monterey Once a Year Insect Control II
- Ortho Bug B Gon Year-Long Tree & Shrub Insect Control
- Ortho MAX Tree & Shrub Insect Control
- Surrender Brand GrubZ Out
- Amdro Quick Kill Lawn & Landscape Insect Killer
- Amdro Rose & Flower Care
- Maxide Dual Action Insect Killer
Header image obtained from https://pixabay.com/
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