Hi. How can we ensure that all garden centers and retailers sell only bee-friendly plants that are guaranteed to be free of neonicotinoids – which seem to be a major factor in the destruction of bees? It is shocking to think that plants (including vegetables and flowers) that are being sold in most local stores probably are killing bees. What is the most effective method to change this situation?
Our Answer:
Pollinators are a big part of our food crops, not to mention the global economy, and unfortunately their population is in great decline.
In a new report out today in PLOS ONE, scientists have found that honey bees are up against more than just neonicotinoids. Parasites that are often linked to Colony Collapse Disorder where found in hives with high levels of multiple types of pesticides and high levels of multiple types of fungicides as well. Fungicides have not been previously linked to the decline of the honey bee population, but this study points toward them as another possible problem. Additionally, scientists found high levels of pesticides and fungicides on colonies that did not collect pollen from sprayed plants – meaning that even plants that have not been targeted are affected. And thus our honey bee population.
What can we do?
Here’s where we, the consumer, comes in. Buying not only food made using organic practices, but also plants grown organically, is high priority in keeping our pollinators healthy. The Farmer’s Markets in Champaign and Urbana are fantastic places to purchase organically grown plants. In using our purchasing power to direct profits toward businesses with practices that are healthy, our voices can be heard. Tell your local plant stores that you are interested in purchasing only pollinator-friendly, organically grown plants.
Our other voice in this issue is political. Send letters to your representatives, sign and distribute petitions, be informed and use your voting rights.
Use your own yard. Plant pollinator-friendly gardens, plants, and flowers. Look into bee-keeping and pollinator-attracting plants, and skip the chemical fertilizer, pesticides and fungicides in your yard. (We’ll be posting more on local bee-keeping.)
The Pollinatarium at the University of Illinois is a fantastic resource for all things pollinator, including information and equipment on bee keeping, bee and butterfly gardens, as well as news and exhibits. The Pollinatarium has some exciting events during Pollinator Week, including Bee Spotting and a Nurturing Bees Workshop.
The growing concern for pollinators is encouraging, so tell your neighbors and friends. Encourage them to take steps to be more pollinator-friendly in their purchases, yards, and votes.
Thanks, Robert, for your question! Have a question you’d like answered? Contact us!
Pollinators in Champaign-Urbana
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Hi. How can we ensure that all garden centers and retailers sell only bee-friendly plants that are guaranteed to be free of neonicotinoids – which seem to be a major factor in the destruction of bees? It is shocking to think that plants (including vegetables and flowers) that are being sold in most local stores probably are killing bees. What is the most effective method to change this situation?
Our Answer:
Pollinators are a big part of our food crops, not to mention the global economy, and unfortunately their population is in great decline.
In a new report out today in PLOS ONE, scientists have found that honey bees are up against more than just neonicotinoids. Parasites that are often linked to Colony Collapse Disorder where found in hives with high levels of multiple types of pesticides and high levels of multiple types of fungicides as well. Fungicides have not been previously linked to the decline of the honey bee population, but this study points toward them as another possible problem. Additionally, scientists found high levels of pesticides and fungicides on colonies that did not collect pollen from sprayed plants – meaning that even plants that have not been targeted are affected. And thus our honey bee population.
What can we do?
Here’s where we, the consumer, comes in. Buying not only food made using organic practices, but also plants grown organically, is high priority in keeping our pollinators healthy. The Farmer’s Markets in Champaign and Urbana are fantastic places to purchase organically grown plants. In using our purchasing power to direct profits toward businesses with practices that are healthy, our voices can be heard. Tell your local plant stores that you are interested in purchasing only pollinator-friendly, organically grown plants.
Our other voice in this issue is political. Send letters to your representatives, sign and distribute petitions, be informed and use your voting rights.
Use your own yard. Plant pollinator-friendly gardens, plants, and flowers. Look into bee-keeping and pollinator-attracting plants, and skip the chemical fertilizer, pesticides and fungicides in your yard. (We’ll be posting more on local bee-keeping.)
The Pollinatarium at the University of Illinois is a fantastic resource for all things pollinator, including information and equipment on bee keeping, bee and butterfly gardens, as well as news and exhibits. The Pollinatarium has some exciting events during Pollinator Week, including Bee Spotting and a Nurturing Bees Workshop.
The growing concern for pollinators is encouraging, so tell your neighbors and friends. Encourage them to take steps to be more pollinator-friendly in their purchases, yards, and votes.
Thanks, Robert, for your question! Have a question you’d like answered? Contact us!
And check out more greener answers!
answered: 6/19/15