Neonicotinoids "Neo-nics"


Do not buy plants treated with neo-nics or allow your property to be sprayed with:


 IMIDACLOPRID      ACETAMIPRID       THIAMETHOXAM      THIACLOPRID

                      CLOTHIANIDIN          DINOTEFURAN


Neo-nics are a class of synthetic, neurotoxic insecticides that are used on agricultural crops, lawns, gardens, golf courses, and in flea and tick pet treatments. Developed in the mid-1990's, neo-nics are now the single-most popular insecticide class in the United States. Their effects on bees and other insects can be lethal, but even at nonlethal doses, neo-nics can weaken an insect's immune system, navigation, stamina, memory, and fertility.


Many studies show that neo-nics have had a devastating impact on bee populations, both honeybees and native bees. Bees are essential to not only food production but also to the health of entire ecosystems.


Neo-nics are some of the deadliest pesticides ever created. The problem is that they kill indiscriminately, exterminating not only "pest" insects but also countless bees, butterflies, beneficial insects, and other wildlife. In fact, since their introduction,

neo-nics have made U.S. agriculture nearly 50 times more harmful to insect life.


Neo-nics have several characteristics that make them particularly problematic. They are systemic, meaning that the whole plant, including the nectar, pollen, leaves, stems, and fruit, is contaminated. They are also water soluble, allowing them to be transported over distances, polluting streams and water bodies and the ecosystems they serve. They are persistent, lasting active for years. And unfortunately, they are very widely used.


Since Connecticut passed the Pollinator Protection Act in 2017, neo-nics are available  only to those with a pesticide application permit, taking them off the commercial market. However, if you employ a lawn service, please check to determine  what is being applied to your lawn. You will need to ask for specific chemical names, making sure that they check that against any brand names. Neo-nics are often used on lawns for control of grubs and other insects. Alternatives do exist.


​BIOLOGICAL SUBSTITUTES: 

1) Nematodes are microscopic worms that are effective against all types of grubs. The strain Heterohabdis ssp is the most effective strain. In fact, the Cornell Report, referenced above, says "Nematodes are the most reliable non-chemical treatment for white grubs in turfgrass."

2) Milky spore is a Japanese beetle grub killing bacterium best applied in late summer. (Less effective in cold climates).

3) Parasitic wasp called Spring Tiphia can be very effective at control of Japanese beetles, as reported by the Univ. of CT.

4) Bio-insecticide, Grub-Gone, employs Btg (Bacillis thuringiesnsis gallerias) has been available since 2018.


Do not let your lawn or tree care company use the following products on your property.

​

Brand Names of these Insecticides:


Imidacloprid products include Bayer Advanced 3-in-1 Insect, Disease & Mite Control and Bayer Advanced 12 Month Tree & Shrub Insect Control,  Merit, Confidor, Admire, Gaucho, Premise and Advocate.


Thiamethoxam products include Amdro Quick Kill Lawn & Landscape Insect Killer, Meridian, Actara, Platinum and Cruiser.


Clothianidin products include Bayer Advanced All-in-One Rose & Flower Care, Poncho, Dantosu and Dantop.


Acetamiprid products include Ortho Bug B Gon, Ortho Flower Fruit & Vegetable, Ortho Rose  & Flower Insect Killer, Mospilan, Intruder, Assail, and Tristar.


Thiacloprid is in Calypso, Pestanal and TraceCERT.


Dinotefuran products include Ortho Tree & Shrub Insect Control Plus, Alpine, Starkle, Safari and Venom.


    PLEASE DISPOSE OF ANY PESTICIDES YOU MAY HAVE AT HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY.