Celebrate World Bee Day in a Pesticide-Free Way
Neonicotinoids and Bees: A Threat to Our Pollinators
At Old Church Honey Bee Farm, our bees are more than just honey producers—they’re vital pollinators that keep our fields blooming and our ecosystems thriving. But there’s a growing threat to these incredible creatures: neonicotinoids, a class of insecticides wreaking havoc on bee populations worldwide. As stewards of these essential pollinators, we’re here to shed light on what neonicotinoids are, why they’re harmful to bees, which products contain them, and what you can do to protect our buzzing friends.
What Are Neonicotinoids?
Neonicotinoids, often called “neonics,” are synthetic insecticides introduced in the mid-1990s. They’re widely used in agriculture, on crops like corn, soybeans, and oilseed rape, as well as in lawns, gardens, and even pet flea treatments. Neonics work by attacking the nervous system of insects, binding to nerve cells and causing paralysis and death. While they’re effective against pests, they don’t discriminate—bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects are just as vulnerable.
What makes neonics particularly dangerous is their systemic nature. When applied as a seed coating or soil drench, plants absorb the chemical, making their pollen, nectar, leaves, and even fruit toxic to insects. Worse, only 2-5% of the pesticide reaches the plant, leaving the rest to linger in soil and water, contaminating wildflowers and waterways for years.
The Devastating Impact on Bees
Bees are critical to our food supply, pollinating over 85% of the world’s plants, including crops that feed us. But neonics are decimating bee populations by:
Killing Bees Directly: At high doses, neonics cause immediate symptoms like shaking, twitching, and paralysis, leading to death. Even low doses can be lethal over time.
Causing Sublethal Effects: Chronic exposure to low levels of neonics impairs bees’ navigation, memory, foraging ability, immune systems, and reproduction. This can lead to smaller colonies, fewer new queens, and reduced survival rates. For example, studies show that bumblebees exposed to imidacloprid collect less nectar and struggle to initiate foraging.
Contaminating Food Sources: Neonics are found in pollen and nectar of treated crops and nearby wildflowers, exposing bees to toxins as they forage. A 2015 study found that bees prefer nectar laced with neonics like imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, increasing their exposure and bringing contaminated food back to the hive.
Long-Term Ecosystem Harm: Neonic residues persist in soil for years, contaminating non-target plants and water sources. This widespread pollution threatens not just bees but entire ecosystems, including aquatic insects and other pollinators like monarch butterflies.
At Old Church Honey Bee Farm, we’ve seen the ripple effects of declining bee populations. Fewer pollinators mean weaker crops, reduced biodiversity, and a threat to the honey we love sharing with our community. The science is clear: neonics are a significant driver of bee declines, alongside other stressors like mites, habitat loss, and climate change.
Products Containing Neonicotinoids
Neonicotinoids are found in a wide range of products, often under brand names that don’t advertise their presence. The most common neonics include:
Imidacloprid: Found in products like Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Insect Control, Merit, and some garden insecticides.
Clothianidin: Used in Poncho seed treatments for crops like maize and in some lawn products.
Thiamethoxam: Found in Cruiser seed treatments and products like Actara for agricultural use.
Acetamiprid: Used in products like Assail and some home garden sprays.
Dinotefuran: Found in Safari and Venom insecticides for ornamental plants and turf.
These chemicals appear in agricultural seed coatings, garden pesticides, lawn treatments, and even pet flea products. Check product labels for these active ingredients, as they’re often listed in fine print. If you’re buying plants or seeds, ask your nursery if they’ve been treated with neonics, as treated plants may not be labeled.
Alternatives to Neonicotinoids
The good news? You can protect bees by avoiding neonics and adopting bee-friendly practices. Here are some alternatives we recommend at Old Church Honey Bee Farm:
Organic and Natural Pest Control:
Neem Oil: Derived from the neem tree, it repels pests without harming bees when used correctly.
Diatomaceous Earth: A natural powder that kills pests by dehydrating them, but is safe for pollinators when applied to soil.
Insecticidal Soap: Targets soft-bodied pests like aphids without systemic effects. Always apply in the evening when bees aren’t foraging.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM):
Monitor pest levels and only treat when necessary.
Use physical barriers like row covers or traps to manage pests.
Encourage natural predators like ladybugs and lacewings, which eat pests like aphids.
Plant Bee-Friendly Gardens:
Grow native wildflowers like clover, bee balm, and goldenrod to provide safe foraging sources.
Avoid treated seeds and plants. Opt for organic or untreated options from trusted nurseries.
Create diverse habitats with flowering plants that bloom throughout the season to support bees year-round.
Avoid Pesticides Altogether:
Embrace natural lawns with clover and dandelions—bees love them!
Hand-pull weeds or use mulch to suppress them instead of herbicides, which can also harm pollinators.
Support Regenerative Farming:
Buy from farmers who use sustainable practices, like crop rotation and cover crops, to reduce pest pressure naturally.
Advocate for policies that restrict neonic use, as seen in states like California and New York, which have limited these pesticides to protect bees.
What We’re Doing at Old Church Honey Bee Farm
We’re committed to protecting our bees and the environment. Our apiaries across Middlesex County avoid all neonicotinoids and synthetic pesticides, relying instead on organic methods and IPM to keep our fields healthy. We plant wildflower meadows to give our bees safe, diverse forage, and we work with local farmers to promote pollinator-friendly practices. We also educate our community through workshops and farm tours, sharing how everyone can make a difference for bees.
Take Action to Save the Bees
Bees are the heartbeat of our ecosystems, and at Old Church Honey Bee Farm, we believe everyone can help protect them. Here’s how you can start:
Read Labels: Avoid products with neonics like imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, acetamiprid, or dinotefuran.
Go Natural: Use organic pest control and plant native flowers to support bees.
Spread the Word: Share this blog and discuss the dangers of neonics with friends, family, and local nurseries.
Support Bee-Friendly Policies: Back efforts to restrict neonicotinoids and fund research into safer alternatives.
Together, we can create a world where bees thrive, pollinating our crops and filling our lives with sweetness. Let’s buzz into action!
With gratitude from all of us at Old Church Honey Bee Farm
