Neonicotinoids and Bees

Neonicotinoids and Bees

Neonicotinoids are a class of pesticides that have recently been linked to widespread bee deaths.

Cities all over North America are now moving to ban the use of this chemical as a result.

Interestingly, the concentration of this ingredient is highest in retail products that are sold to the home gardener.

These products are currently on sale in garden centres and big box stores (like Home Depot and Walmart) around the city, but I wouldn't be too confident that your average staff member would be able to help you identify them.

From a permaculture perspective, all pesticides, and herbicides for that matter, are counter-productive and should be avoided. Even the "organic" chemicals destabilise the ecosystems we work had to establish and they have no place in a permaculturists toolbox.

That said, as a public service, I thought it would be valuable to publish this post identifying the Neonicotinoid containing products so that the consumer can make a more informed decision when waging chemical warfare on nature.  

The list is obtained from the following source.

Bayer, that friendly old German company who moved on from gassing Jews at the end of WWII to gassing bugs in your back yard has the following arsenal on offer:

	12 Month Tree and Shrub
	12 Month Insect Control plus Fertilizer
	2-in-1 Rose and Flower Care
	Insect, Disease & Mite Control
	All-In-One Rose and Flower Care
	Complete Insect Killer
	Criterion Insecticide
	Dual Action Rose and Flower Insect Killer
	Fruit, Citrus & Vegetable Insect Control
	Merit Insecticide
	Season Long Grub Control
	Termite Killer

Then there is the Scotts company, famous for its Round-up herbicide product:

	Green Light Grub Control
	Green Light Tree & Shrub
	Ortho Bug B Gon
	Ortho Flower, Fruit & Vegetable
	Ortho Max Tree & Shrub
	Ortho Rose & Flower Insect Killer

And finally, the miscellaneous brands:

	ALOFT Insecticide  (Arysta)
	Arena Insecticide  (Valent USA)
	DIY Tree Care Products Multi-Insect Killer (ArborSystems)
	Ferti-Lome 2-in-1 Systemic (Voluntary Purchasing Groups, Inc)
	Hi-Yield Systemic Insect Spray (Voluntary Purchasing Groups, Inc)
	Knockout Grub Killer (Gro Tec, Inc)
	Maxide Dual Action Insect Killer (Gulfstream Home and Garden)
	Monterey Once a Year Insect Control (Lawn and Garden Products, Inc)
	Safari Insecticide (Valent U.S.A)
	Xytect Insecticide (Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements)
	Xytect Infusible (Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements)
	Zylam Systemic Turf Insecticide (PBI/Gordon Corporation)