Try as I may, I know too many people who just don't get it. I feel so alone. I'll share this, as I do so many of your writings, and hope it reaches at least someone who cares.
Thanks, Nikki for commenting and sharing. One of the things I like about writing Love the Wild is that readers comment, share their stories, and help me feel that there are others who value wildlife and wild lands. While you may feel alone, you're definitely not. There are many others who care.
Many years ago, I bought a rose bush at Home Depot. When I went to plant it, a tag fell out, proclaiming it was "protected by neonicotonoids." I thought "How much harm can one plant do in a 1/2 acre organic garden?" The next morning, there were dead and dying bees everywhere! They take the tainted pollen back to the hive, where it kills the whole hive. Like most pesticides, it is a neurotoxin; it was horrifying to watch the dying bees suffering this painful death. I immediately cut off all the flowers, put it back in the pot and returned it, but the damage was done...and continues with all the plants sold to unsuspecting or uncaring consumers. There is a local nursery that advertises itself as organic. When I went to purchase a tree, I asked if it had been treated with these obscene pesticides. I was assured it had been at the nursery since the previous year, so it was safe. Having been horrified before, I did an internet search for how long neonicotonoids last: they have a HALF LIFE of 6 years. So, 12, 18, 24 years later, they can still wipe put entire beehives.
Hi Jane and thanks for sharing your experience with a "protected" rose. I can only hope that Home Depot and other plant sellers have changed their approach and no longer sell protected plants that in turn harm birds, bees, and butterflies.
Since then, I always check. Costco and others sell some plants from a grower whose plats are tagged "bee safe" 💚 I have called many of the growers in my area, and now know which are safe; I always ask at a nursery; frankly, most don't know! I have only found 2 places near me who have committed not to sell plants grown with neonicotinoids, so if I want a plant, I mostly shop there.
Interesting as usual, Rick, but also scary once you began talking about neonics. It'll be interesting to see how your alternative approach will work out. Rus
I will be interested to in seeing how this turns out, Rus. It was an interesting process to have to weigh whether we wanted to lose a tree or a bird, butterfly, or bee.
I recently saw that my fav rose was being eaten by curculio weevils. I love the internet: I found that if I cut off all the buds with holes, I'd get rid of one stage; I applied nematodes to the soil to eat the hatchlings, and bought, but ended up not needing neem oil to spray the leaves, because the nematodes and pruning got rid of the beasties, with no harm to anyone else. If necessary, I would have gotten rid of the rose; but there is usually a safe alternative. The internet shines at this kind of info <3
Hi Jane, thanks for sharing your success story. I agree that there's abundant information out there if a person like you is willing to take the time and effort.
Try as I may, I know too many people who just don't get it. I feel so alone. I'll share this, as I do so many of your writings, and hope it reaches at least someone who cares.
Thanks, Nikki for commenting and sharing. One of the things I like about writing Love the Wild is that readers comment, share their stories, and help me feel that there are others who value wildlife and wild lands. While you may feel alone, you're definitely not. There are many others who care.
Many years ago, I bought a rose bush at Home Depot. When I went to plant it, a tag fell out, proclaiming it was "protected by neonicotonoids." I thought "How much harm can one plant do in a 1/2 acre organic garden?" The next morning, there were dead and dying bees everywhere! They take the tainted pollen back to the hive, where it kills the whole hive. Like most pesticides, it is a neurotoxin; it was horrifying to watch the dying bees suffering this painful death. I immediately cut off all the flowers, put it back in the pot and returned it, but the damage was done...and continues with all the plants sold to unsuspecting or uncaring consumers. There is a local nursery that advertises itself as organic. When I went to purchase a tree, I asked if it had been treated with these obscene pesticides. I was assured it had been at the nursery since the previous year, so it was safe. Having been horrified before, I did an internet search for how long neonicotonoids last: they have a HALF LIFE of 6 years. So, 12, 18, 24 years later, they can still wipe put entire beehives.
Hi Jane and thanks for sharing your experience with a "protected" rose. I can only hope that Home Depot and other plant sellers have changed their approach and no longer sell protected plants that in turn harm birds, bees, and butterflies.
Since then, I always check. Costco and others sell some plants from a grower whose plats are tagged "bee safe" 💚 I have called many of the growers in my area, and now know which are safe; I always ask at a nursery; frankly, most don't know! I have only found 2 places near me who have committed not to sell plants grown with neonicotinoids, so if I want a plant, I mostly shop there.
Thanks, Jane, for being persistent and for sharing your efforts to know what you're buying and how it will effect wildlife.
Very informative. Thanks.
I'm glad you found it informative. I was sure shocked by the dangers of those insecticides.
Interesting as usual, Rick, but also scary once you began talking about neonics. It'll be interesting to see how your alternative approach will work out. Rus
I will be interested to in seeing how this turns out, Rus. It was an interesting process to have to weigh whether we wanted to lose a tree or a bird, butterfly, or bee.
I recently saw that my fav rose was being eaten by curculio weevils. I love the internet: I found that if I cut off all the buds with holes, I'd get rid of one stage; I applied nematodes to the soil to eat the hatchlings, and bought, but ended up not needing neem oil to spray the leaves, because the nematodes and pruning got rid of the beasties, with no harm to anyone else. If necessary, I would have gotten rid of the rose; but there is usually a safe alternative. The internet shines at this kind of info <3
Hi Jane, thanks for sharing your success story. I agree that there's abundant information out there if a person like you is willing to take the time and effort.