ALEXANDRIA, Va. – BeSure! this planting season. Following the label directions and using responsible stewardship practices are the best ways to ensure that neonicotinoids will not harm bees or other wildlife, whether you’re using them on crops, turf, ornamentals or trees, on farms, or in urban landscapes.

“Neonics are a class of synthetic, neurotoxic insecticides that are used on agricultural crops, lawns, gardens, golf courses, and in flea and tick pet treatments. Developed in the mid-1990s, neonics are now the single-most popular insecticide class in the United States,” wrote Courtney Lindwall in an article “Neonicotinoids 101: The Effects on Humans and Bees” published in 2022 for the Natural Resources Defense Council, www.nrdc.org

“A number of the agriculture input companies, seed companies, and other companies came together five years ago to start this (BeSure!) campaign to educate farmers and provide information regarding the use of treated seed,” said Andy LaVigne, American Seed Trade Association president and CEO. “As the technology continued to improve and be honed and the acceptance and use of it continued to increase, we took a voluntary step to try to promote safe handling and use of treated seeds.”

Producers need to become familiar with the surroundings in and around the field when planting, LaVigne said. Often weeds and other plants are blooming at this time, making it attractive to bees and other pollinators. If there is a way to mow those or use a herbicide to burn them down that would be helpful.

“We always recommend when using a pesticide or treated seed make sure you’re reading and understanding the label,” LaVigne said. “You want to minimize any dust from the seed by using the seed lubricants that are recommended. If there is any spillage of seeds while you’re filling your planter boxes make sure it is cleaned up or covered with soil and buried.”

When finished planting, make sure all of the treated seed is out of the equipment so it isn’t left there over the summer, LaVigne said. He also stressed the benefits of treated seed; it is a very precise application and it is put directly in the ground, not spread across the field before planting.

For foliar applications, BeSure! advises ensuring that sprays are directed away from any flowering plants, following established buffer zones, and calibrating equipment to minimize spray drift. Before making an application, be aware of any honey bees and hives near the field and communicate with neighboring beekeepers.

Growing Matters is a coalition of organizations and individuals committed to scientific discourse on the stewardship, benefits, and alternatives of neonicotinoid insecticides in North America. The joint effort is led by Bayer CropScience, Syngenta, Valent U.S.A. LLC , BASF Agricultural Solutions and Mitsui Chemicals Agro, Inc.

Protecting bees and other wildlife is a major part of good stewardship practices and is why Growing Matters launched BeSure!, an initiative to support growers and applicators in accomplishing this important goal.