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 flower-visiting insects are harmed by the residues.
Examples of Neonicotinoid Garden Products Used in the United States
| Neonicotinoid | Garden & ornamental uses | Garden product trademark names |
|---|---|---|
| Imidacloprid | Seed dressing, soil drench, granules, injection, or spray to a wide range of ornamental plants, trees, and turf. | Bayer Advanced 3-in-1 Insect, Disease, & Mite Control Bayer Advanced 12 Month Tree & Shrub Insect Control Bayer Advanced 12 Month Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed Bayer Advanced Fruit, Citrus & Vegetable Insect Control Bayer Advanced All-in-One Rose & Flower Care concentrate DIY Tree Care Products Multi-Insect Killer Ferti-lome 2-N-1 Systemic Hi-Yield Systemic Insect Spray Hunter Knockout Ready-To-Use Grub Killer Lesco Bandit Marathon Merit Monterey Once a Year Insect Control II Ortho Bug B Gon Year-Long Tree & Shrub Insect Control Ortho MAX Tree & Shrub Insect Control Surrender Brand GrubZ Out |
| Clothianidin | Seed treatment, foliar spray or soil drench for turf, a variety of ornamental trees, and flowers. | Bayer Advanced All-in-One Rose & Flower Care granules Green Light Grub Control with Arena |
| Thiamethoxam | Soil drench, injection, granules, or foliar spray to a wide range of ornamental plants and turf. | Flagship Maxide Dual Action Insect Killer Meridian |
| Acetamiprid | Foliar spray for fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants, and flowers. | Ortho Flower, Fruit and Vegetable Insect Killer Ortho Rose and Flower Insect Killer |
| Dinotefuran | Soil drench or foliar spray to leafy & fruiting vegetables, turf, & ornamental plants. | Green Light Tree & Shrub Insect Control with Safari 2 G Safari Transect Zylam 20SG Systemic Turf Insecticide |
