Could our potted plants be killing bees?

/in /by

I read a report from the UK that sounds pretty scary and could very well be here but we don’t know it yet. Decorative potted plants from retail nurseries have insecticides levels that could have an impact on beneficial insects and pollinators such as honey bees, mason bees etc. The pesticides included neonicotinoid pesticides in levels that are sub-lethal (very close to their acute toxicity (death) levels) to bees and other insects. The pesticides were detected in the pollen, nectar and foliage. Neonicotinoids have detrimental effects on bee’s mortality, foraging, homing, navigation and queen survival. Some of the plants had concentrations of this insecticide that are comparable to treated crops. Studies have shown that levels of 2.4 to 11ppb (very small amounts) of neonicotinoids in pollen have behavioral effects on bees. Cumulative effects on their brains hamper bee health and colony performance. It was also found that honeybee pollen contained a range of pesticides that are sold at retail stores that include pyrethroids, which are widely available to Joe and Jane gardener.

gogreenpestcontrol.ca Ladner Tsawwassen Delta b.C. Randy Bilesky

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/could-our-potted-plants-killing-bees-randy-bilesky?published=t

http://www.delta-optimist.com/opinion/blogs/blog-could-our-potted-plants-be-killing-bees-1.20287493