Last year, in Wilsonville, Oregon, when 50 blooming Linden trees were sprayed with a systemic neonicotinoid insecticide, over 50,000 bumble bees died immediately while feeding on the contaminated nectar and pollen.
(Photo from: http://www.thebritishgardener.com)
The trees were immediately wrapped so other bees and other pollinators would not be subjected to the contaminated nectar and pollen. Because of this incident, many neonicotinoids insecticides have been banned.
(Photo from: https://ferrellgummit.wordpress.com)
Neonicotinoid pesticides/insecticides are used by farmers, gardeners and homeowners and include products from Ortho and Bayer and others. They are systemic, meaning they are absorbed by the plant, including the pollen and nectar. Bees, butterflies and other pollinators die when they come in contact with these residues.
You can help by NOT using these products OR follow labeled directions carefully, if you must use them. There are many of these products, just a couple are pictured below. See website link below for a more complete list.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Don't use pesticides/insecticides or herbicides when plants are blooming or when pollinators are active, during daylight hours.
The Xerces Society provides a list of these products and further information and excellent articles:
http://www.xerces.org/wings-magazine/neonicotinoids-in-your-garden/
http://www.xerces.org/neonicotinoids-and-bees/
Please help save
our pollinators, our bees and butterflies and moths
and other important pollinators
and spread the word.
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