Pesticides
The Xerces Society is working to change how people use insecticides. Our publications translate complex science, so that farmers, agency staff, and policy makers can make informed decisions about pesticide use and regulation. We are pushing for warning labels on home products, so that gardeners know if the chemicals are harmful to pollinators. Our training courses for farmers, land managers, and citizens include ways to use fewer pesticides and to have a lower impact on the environment. Spraying wetlands to control mosquitoes has a major impact on invertebrates and we are working with agency staff to alter management practices to minimize the nontarget impacts. Also, we are working with the Environmental Protection Agency to develop a better risk assessment for chemicals that harm bees.
Resources
Ecologically Sound Mosquito Management in Wetlands
An overview of mosquito control practices, the risks, benefits, and nontarget impacts, and recommendations on effective practices that control mosquitoes, reduce pesticide use, and conserve wetlands. By Celeste Mazzacano and Scott Hoffman Black. This report reviews current mosquito control practices in the United States, describes risks and benefits associated with different types of mosquito control—including Read more …
Are Neonicotinoids Killing Bees?
A Review of Research into the Effects of Neonicotinoid Insecticides on Bees, with Recommendations for Action. By Jennifer Hopwood, Mace Vaughan, Matthew Shepherd, David Biddinger, Eric Mader, Scott Hoffman Black, and Celeste Mazzacano. A possible link between neonicotinoids and honey bee die-offs has led to controversy across the United States and Europe. Beekeepers and environmentalists Read more …
Farming for Pest Management
Habitat for Predators and Parasites. Published by the Xerces Society in collaboration with the Integrated Plant Protection Center. Many insects and spiders, as well as bats and birds, eat crop pests and weeds. Providing food and shelter for these useful animals can help suppress unwelcome pest species.This brochure illustrates how farmers can attract and retain Read more …
Organic Approved Pesticides
Minimizing Risks to Bees. By Eric Mader and Nancy Lee Adamson. By definition an insecticide kills insects; because it is an organic product does not mean it is less harmful. Selecting the least toxic option and applying with care are effective ways to reduce the effects on nontarget species. This 6-page guide gives an overview Read more …
Neonicotinoids in Your Garden
By Jennifer Hopwood and Matthew Shepherd. This article from Xerces’ membership magazine, Wings, explores the effects of neonicotinoid pesticides in gardens. Used to protect against sap-sucking and leaf-chewing insects, neonicotinoids are systemic, which means they are absorbed by the plant tissues and expressed in all parts, including nectar and pollen. Unfortunately, bees, butterflies, and other Read more …
How to Reduce Bee Poisoning from Pesticides
Deciding which pesticide product to use can be a complex process. This detailed guide, produced jointly by the extension services of Oregon State University, Washington State University, and the University of Idaho, offers detailed guidance on how to select and apply insecticides. Extensive tables list the toxicity to bees of dozens of chemicals and how long after application they remain hazardous to bees in the field. To view PDF, click here.
