Neonics in supposedly “bee-friendly” plants in big box stores
August 26, 2013
A recent study found that half the plants in big box stories such as Lowe’s and Home Depot contained “neonics”
Though they are sometimes sold that way, these are not “bee-friendly” products– especially when the highly bee-toxic pesticide application is systemic and persistent– which means that the neonics disperse throughout the plant and persist there.
We need our retailers to follow the example of those in the UK that stopped selling neonics and plants containing them.
Meanwhile, as a consumer, the only way to be sure you are buying plants that are feeding rather than poisoning bees is to buy organic plant starts.
Thanks for helping to protect our pollinators by avoiding neonic saturated flowering plants!
3 Comments
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Gary Rondeau
Madronna Holden
ibeephilip
kenabis419
Oregon Sustainable Beekeepers 
The following crops are some of the crops which are grown with seed coated by neonicotinoids (neonics, for short): corn (corn oil, corn syrup), soybean (many derivatives), sunflower (oil also), safflower (oil also), pumpkin (and seeds), rapeseed (canola oil), cottonseed (frying oils). These are just some of the crops.
Neonics work by confusing the brain and disrupting normal activities (which in bees include navigational problems like getting home).
I have been wondering if autism and Alzheimers might be partially caused by high fructose corn syrup and all the foods that are derived from these crops. Think of all the corn chips and potato chips fried in the oils mentioned above, and remember that oils hold pesticide residues extremely well.
I have designed a bee bumpersticker about neonics which I am distributing free, and will send you one which you may copy if you wish by your local bumpsticker artist. I am not charging for them and anyone may use them. They are eye-catching, in four beautiful colors. Please let me know if you would like one, and send me a physical address for mailing.
Thanks for the information on seed coating, Bob. Cottonseed oil is another problematic product with regard to toxics consumption. For a time, it was the primarily (cheap) oil used in chips and snack foods and it is my understanding that there were no regs on it, since cotton was not technically a food crop.
It stands to reason that consuming a load of neurotoxins can lead to problems for human as well as bee health. Perhaps you are aware of the recent research published in peer reviewed journals on the assault such toxins create on the human brain: e.g. http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/30/study-common-pesticide-affects-developing-brain/
If you want to attach your graphic here, we can pick it up and reproduce it (and give you credit!) Perhaps use it as a graphic on this site as well?
Let us know.
Madronna
Bob, I’m interested in your bumpersticker. Is there a private way to message you my address? Or have you posted the sticker design somewhere online?