I have seen first hand how literally devastating neonicontionoids are to bees. I discontinued all use of them at my facility in eastern NC 14 years ago. I rely on the native bee population to pollinate my co-op vegetables today. We are rural, so figure that in but we have at least 15 thriving native species at this point. The bumblebee population took 5 years to recover from the use of marathon 15 years ago. Squash bees do all the work along with the bumblebees to create great squash and ornamental gourd crops.
Even if you don't "need" bees around your operation why would any grower knowing sentence any bee to death by applying these systemics and sending them out to reach a retail consumer? That is the question we should all ask ourselves.
I have seen first hand how literally devastating neonicontionoids are to bees. I discontinued all use of them at my facility in eastern NC 14 years ago. I rely on the native bee population to pollinate my co-op vegetables today. We are rural, so figure that in but we have at least 15 thriving native species at this point. The bumblebee population took 5 years to recover from the use of marathon 15 years ago. Squash bees do all the work along with the bumblebees to create great squash and ornamental gourd crops.
Even if you don't "need" bees around your operation why would any grower knowing sentence any bee to death by applying these systemics and sending them out to reach a retail consumer? That is the question we should all ask ourselves.