Insect pests are often listed along with diseases, climate change, toxic chemicals, and human encroachment on pollinator habitat as a major factor in the loss of over 700 North American bee species, 90 percent of Monarch butterflies, and 1/3 of North American birds.  But 40 percent of all wild insect pollinators (such as dragonflies and damselflies) have also been destroyed, and these species are necessary not only for pollination, but for sustaining bird populations that depend on insects to nourish their young.  

A key factor in the nationwide collapse of bees and other pollinators is the use of neonicotinoids (neonics), the world's most widely used insecticide.  Chemicals such as neonics not only destroy pollinators, but also likely harm up to 80 percent of all threatened and endangered species.  Neonics are turning up in our food and drinking water, and are implicated in increased risk for birth defects like malformations of the developing heart and brain as well as increased risk of autism-like symptoms.  

Solutions for dealing with toxic gardening chemicals

• Avoid the following chemicals when purchasing products for home and garden:

• Acetamiprid, Clothianidin, Dinotefuran, Imidacloprid, Thiameheoxam, all of which are hidden in many popular brands.  

• Look for products with an OMRI label (Organic Materials Resource Index) or the USDA organic certification when buying packaged soil, compost, or fertilizers.

• Ask retailers who sell plants and gardening supplies to eliminate neonics from the plants they sell.  When we support the restricting of bee- and butterfly- killing pesticides, suppliers will take notice and start producing products that are better for bees, better for the planet, and better for us.

• Contact the EPA and your public representatives and tell them to push for neonic bans at the state level (some states have already done so).  

• To treat harmful pests, try the following: 1) Neem Oil, from the neem tree, can be sprayed when you see the first adult bug; 2) Insecticidal Soaps, either commercial or make your own with 1 TBSP dishwashing soap in 1 quart of water.