NEONICOTINOIDS

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Neonicotinoids or “neonics” are the country’s most widely used insecticides. They were first introduced in the U.S. in 1994 and are now found in hundreds of products. Neonics are used as a seed coating treatment and are also sprayed on many fruits and vegetables during the growing season. Neonics persist in our water and soil and they play a major contributing role in pollinator and bird declines.

Neonics are used in high concentrations in the coatings of seeds used to grow corn, canola, sunflowers, soy, other vegetables. For products such as corn, it’s nearly impossible for farmers to buy seeds that are not treated with this pesticide. Neonic seed treatments are absorbed by the entire plant and transported to every part including the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, as well as pollen and nectar.
Neonics are persistent in the environment, infiltrate groundwater, and have cumulative and largely irreversible effects on invertebrates. Recent publications show the negative impacts of neonics on other critters including fish, reptiles, frogs, and mammals. Earthworms, which are important to birds like robins and woodcock, can die by even low doses of neonics in their system.

These insecticides can impact our food web. Neonics are harming the diverse wildlife that pollinate our crops and control our insect pests. Neonics are lethal to birds and to the insects that birds consume.

A single seed treated with neonics is enough to kill a songbird. Lesser amounts can cause severe weight loss, impact reproduction, and disrupt their migratory tendencies. A study in the lab using White-crowned Sparrows that involved feeding tiny neonic-treated canola seeds to this species resulted in all birds suffering significant impairment to orientation and the loss of up to 25% of their fat stores and body mass. Fat stores, by the way, are extremely important for birds because that’s what powers them during migration and during long cold snaps. For more info on neonics and birds, please visit.

Neonics are pervasive in our human food supply as well. Evidence on human health risks from neonics is mounting, particularly for infants and children. In addition to the thousands of acute poisoning cases reported to the EPA, chronic neonic exposure may be linked to autism spectrum disorder, memory loss, and other adverse developmental and neurological outcomes.
Some local jurisdictions in the U.S. have taken action to limit use of neonics. The European Union has banned 3 common neonics. We can all help to reduce the prevalence of neonics and their impacts on birds and other wildlife. Read the label before buying plants at stores – some companies label plants if they have been treated with neonics. Eat more organic fruits and vegetables. And above all, speak out to your elected officials. Do it for the birds!

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