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I have been a big proponent of imidacloprid, and now I wish I could just take it all back. Maybe it isn't the culprit in the disappearance of bees, but I will not use it again until that is proven. I posted this to a forum I frequent, and it was suggested I post it here. I hope it isn't too "political", because this really does need to be known. I am not going to argue about it, or defend it, or anything. Just take it for what it's worth and make your own judgement after you do your own research.
Did you all read about the bees? Scientists from Penn State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are leading the research into a disease which has killed tens of thousands of bee colonies in at least 35 states. They are focusing on an ingredient in many of our newer pesticides called neonicotinoids. And it is one of the ingredients in imidacloprid, which I have been touting as a "safe" pesticide because it was systemic and didn't need to be sprayed (can be watered in) which would kill beneficials too, low mammalian toxicity, and didn't cross into the flowers - therefore not dangerous to hummingbirds and butterflies. Well, apparently it is in the pollen. What I don't know if that is when the plant has been sprayed, or if it is taken there when the pesticide is watered in too. I will have a BIG talk with our agent Monday, since he's the one that told me it was safe for butterflies, and used at Cockerell Butterfly Center. In the meantime, until I know more from creditable sources (which do not include Bayer, who says it is perfectly safe) I am no longer using it nor recommending it. I wish I could make a big announcement somewhere on DG about this...
From this site: [HYPERLINK@edis.ifas.ufl.edu]
"Of the neonicotinoids, imidacloprid is the most toxic to birds and fish. Both imidacloprid and thiamethoxam are highly toxic to honeybees. "
Dadgum it!!
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