Neonicotinoids "Neo-nics"
Do not buy plants treated with neo-nics or allow your property to be sprayed with:
IMIDACLOPRID ACETAMIPRID THIAMETHOXAM 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. In fact, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation has calculated that neo-nics are 1000 to 7000 times more toxic to bee than DDT, depending on the route of entry. 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 and 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 (listed below). Neo-nics are often used on lawns for control of grubs and other insects. Alternatives do exist and are shown here:
RECOMMENDED BIOLOGICAL GRUB CONTROL
GrubGONE (Btg or Bacillis thuringiensis gallerias) is a bio-insecticide that has been available since 2018. manufactured by Phyllom bioProducts. This product is effective for all types of grubs. Best time to apply is in the fall. Check local outlets or online
NOTE: Do not confuse GrubGONEwith Grub-Ex, a Scott's product containing chlorantraniliprole.
BeetleGONE is the wettable powder version of the GrubGONE granular. BeetleGONE is effective against a wide array of
destructive adult beetles and chafers. Safe for pollinators. Available at same outlets as GrubGONE.
Parasitic wasp called Spring Tiphia can be very effective at control of Japanese beetles, as reported by the Univ. of CT.
DO NOT USE THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS ON YOUR PROPERTY:
Nematodes - microscopic, worm-like microorganisms that kill most soil-dwelling insects at their larval stage. Recent studies have shown them harmful to ground-nesting bumblebees.
Neonicotinoides: clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam. These chemicals pose risks to bees and other pollinators as well as having other negative side-effects.
Chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn or Grub-Ex): Toxic to aquatic invertebrates, butterflies and moths. Studies have verified that they are highly toxic to larval stages of moths and butterflies. Caterpillars that consume treated foliage will die.
Other chemicals to avoid: cyantraniliprol, bifenthrin, permethrin, carbaryl, cyfluthrin, deltamethrin, lamba-cyhalothrin and trichlorfon3. These chemicals are toxic to bees, other pollinators and beneficial insects.
BRAND NAMES OF PRODUCTS CONTAINING NEONICOTINOIDES
Imidacloprid 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 Amdro Quick Kill Lawn & Landscape Insect Killer, Meridian, Actara, Platinum and Cruiser.
Clothianidin Bayer Advanced All-in-One Rose & Flower Care, Poncho, Dantosu and Dantop.
Acetamiprid Ortho Bug B Gon, Ortho Flower Fruit & Vegetable, Ortho Rose & Flower Insect Killer, Mospilan, Intruder, Assail,
and Tristar.
Dinotefuran Ortho Tree & Shrub Insect Control Plus, Alpine, Starkle, Safari and Venom.
PLEASE DISPOSE OF ANY PESTICIDES YOU MAY HAVE AT HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY.