Neonicotinoics (or neonics) are a powerful class of pesticides used on many crops.
They persist in soil, water, and plants for a very long time, and are lethal to bees and other pollinators. The EPA has pledged to place a moratorium on new useres of neonics, but that doesn’t address the more than 500 neonic products currently on the market. Be sure to check the labels of products you purchase from home garden centers to help save the bees by avoiding purchasing products that contain neonics.
Here are 5 ways you can help save the bees:
- “BEE” AWARE: Use landscaping to attract beneficial insects vice using pesticides.
- “BEE” VIGILIANT: Read labels and steer clear of neonicotinoids.
- “BEE” VOCAL: Tell everyone about the importance of bees and how they can help.
- “BEE” AN ACTIVIST: refer to the the Friends of the Earth (FOE) Bee Action Campaign.
- “BEE” SAFE: Plant bee-friendly flowers using organic starts or untreated seeds.
Here are some of the plants you might consider planting in your own yard:
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Information in this article was summarized from an excerpt of the hardcopy Bee Action Friends of the Earth Campaign flyer, provided by Will Haas.
