Are your "bee-friendly"garden plants actually killing bees?

[Tanuki]

(cross-posting in case you didn't see this in Good Reads)

This is depressing and infuriating. I have been trying to plant my yard with wildlife-friendly choices, and now there's this:

http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/08/14/your-bee-friendly-garden-killing-bees

"Gardeners who thought they were giving a helpful boost to their local bee populations by planting “bee friendly” gardens may in fact be doing more harm than good, according to a new study released today.

Environmental groups Friends of the Earth-US and the Pesticide Research Institute tested a small sample of plants purchased from Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Orchard Supply Hardware (which is currently being acquired by Lowe’s), and found that just over half of the plants had been pre-treated with pesticides that they say are known to kill bees.

“The pilot study confirms that many of the plants sold in nurseries and garden stores across the U.S. have been pre-treated with systemic neonicotinoid insecticides, making them potentially toxic to pollinators,” said Timothy Brown, co-author of the study and associate scientist with the Pesticide Research Institute. ".......(more at link)

[Downwinder]

1. I hope not. The peaches sure are good.

[Curmudgeoness]

2. Another reason to buy from local nurseries

where you can ask questions of the owner right there.

I cannot say that I have never purchased plants from places like Lowe's, but that has been years ago. I am sure my bee friendly garden is just that now, after all these years.

Does anyone know how long the neonicotinoids persist on the plants?

[Tanuki]

3. The problem isn't necessarily limited to chain retailers such as Lowes.

Those just happened to be the sources in that particular study. Local nurseries might unwittingly obtain some their stock sources that pre-treat. I think this is a general caveat.

[beac]

4. Another article on this w/a list of sources of the deadly neonics:

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/lowes-home-depot-sell-bee-friendly-plants-that-could-kill-bees.html

From the article: Emily Marquez, staff scientist at Pesticide Action Network says: “Studies indicate that widespread use of systemic pesticides like neonicotinoids is contributing to major bee kills around the globe. And even at doses that don’t kill bees, neonics weaken bee immune systems and impair critical brain functions, making it hard for bees to find their food sources and return to the hive.”

According to EcoWatch, an environmental news service, neonicotinoids are found in many common products used in nurseries or retailers and sold to consumers for home garden use.

[dmosh42]

5. Another reason to grow all plants from your seeds.

[hedgehog]

6. Just make sure (if you can) that the seeds themselves aren't pre-treated!

[WCLinolVir]

7. Shit. Damn these people.