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Neonics 101

cwf-fcf.org > English > News & Media > Articles
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Story

By CWF Staff

Get the low down on the pesticide wreaking havoc on our pollinators

Neonicotinoids were introduced in the 1990s because many insects were becoming resistant to common pesticides. These new pesticides, or “neonics” were a group of insecticides that were chemically related to nicotine, and were known to be toxic to the insects that feed on it. 

Today, five of these insecticides including Thiacloprid, Clothianidin, Acetamiprid, Imidacloprim and thiamethoxam are approved for use here in Canada. They are being used on foods like wheat, corn, soy, peas, beans, fruits and vegetables.  They are applied to the plant as seed coatings, soil solutions, or as sprays on the leaves and stems. They remain active in the plant for many months, and in the soil up to several years. While they’re incredibly effective, they harm the good bugs as well as the pests.

Hundreds of studies show that even low doses of neonics cause pollinators, like bees, significant harm. It affects their ability to navigate, collect food, and reproduce. Bumble bee colonies permeated with neonics grow more slowly and produce fewer queens. In some areas, butterflies too are sharply declining where their habitat is nearby agricultural areas.

We need these pollinators badly.

About 75 to 95 per cent of Earth's flowering plants rely on pollination by bees and other pollinators. Two of the biggest pollinator powerhouses here in Canada include bees and pollinating flies. Canada is home to 1,000 bee species that buzz from flower to flower in our gardens, agricultural lands, meadows and more collecting pollen and nectar to feed themselves. Indeed, one in three bites of food you take is thanks to bees.

And while pollinating flies aren’t quite as hairy as bees, and aren’t able to transfer quite as much pollen between flowers, but they still transmit plenty of pollen and are critical to the pollination phenomenon. We’ve also got plenty of other amazing pollinators including butterflies, hummingbirds, moths and beetles. They’re all important species and we need each and every one of them to bring us our favourite foods like strawberries, tomatoes, cucumber, apples, blueberries and even chocolate.

The Canadian Wildlife Federation launched a petition asking for a legislated, national ban on use of all forms of neonicotinoid pesticides in agriculture, horticulture, turf production, and golf courses. Under the ban, emergency use of neonics would be permitted for a limited number of years, but only under cases of severe pest outbreak and with a prescription from a certified agronomist. A ban on neonics will benefit species negatively impacted and help to support their recovery.

What You Can Do

  • Sign the petition. You can really make a difference by supporting a ban on neonicotinoid pesticides! 
  • Plant wildflowers in your garden that will benefit pollinators. Learn the best flowers to plant for these wonderful creatures and dig in! 
  • Purchase products that don’t contain neonics. You can still attain a gorgeous garden without introducing these harmful chemicals. Treat the pollinators in your backyard to a healthy environment. 
  • Reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides in your garden. Your backyard doesn’t need harsh chemicals to thrive! 
  • Leave or place logs and rocks in your yard. You’ll be offering habitat to pollinators and other beneficial critters too!  

As the Buzz Fades

Something is killing off bees — in big numbers. Scientists aren’t sure what, but evidence points to a role for a new family of pesticides called “neonics.” Are they a smoking spray gun?

Read More

The Birds as well as the Bees

A Saskatchewan researcher finds that neonics are devastating Canada’s bug-eating birds as much as they are our pollinators

Read More

Buy the CWF Medallion Plant Collection

Pollination is one of the most important processes on the planet. Thanks to pollination, we have delicious foods, healthy ecosystems, and even growth in the economy. Pollinators are the tiny but important...

Read More

Help the Bees this Spring

It won’t be long before they’re buzzing around your garden again. Are you ready for their arrival?

Read More

How to Make the Perfect Pollinator Garden

Canada’s pollinators are mostly insects, with some pollination thanks to hummingbirds. Together these important animals provide us with so much of the food we need and love like tomatoes, carrots, blueberries and...

Read More

The Dirt on Neonics

Be in the Know About These Harmful Chemicals in Your Backyard

Read More
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Learn more

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