Center for Food Safety’s Post

BEE Protective—Protecting Honey Bees and Wild Pollinators From Pesticides on World Bee Day! In order to move action forward on the pollinator crisis, BEYOND PESTICIDES and the Center for Food Safety launched the BEE Protective campaign, a national public education effort supporting local actions to protect honey bees and other pollinators from pesticides and contaminated landscapes. BEE Protective includes a variety of educational materials to help encourage municipalities, campuses, and individual homeowners to adopt policies and practices that protect bees and other pollinators from harmful pesticide applications and create pesticide-free refuges for these beneficial organisms. https://ow.ly/LEGP50RNGrB [In addition to scientific and regulatory information, BEE Protective also includes a model community pollinator resolution and a pollinator protection pledge.] Let's all do our part to BEE Protective of these critical species! *** 🐝 Learn more on the role that pesticides play in pollinator decline, and actions you can take to BEE Protective in your community: https://ow.ly/LEGP50RNGrB 🎬 For an overview, please see our short film, Seeds that Poison, which highlights the hazards associated with a major use of bee-toxic pesticides—seed coatings—and puts the problem in the broader context of environmental contamination while suggesting a course for change. https://ow.ly/yMYL50RNFXW

#Why_We_Should_Protect_Bees: A Pesticide Worker’s Perspective As a pesticide worker, I often see people afraid of bees due to the fear of being stung. However, bees are vital to our ecosystem. Here’s why we should protect them and how we can coexist harmoniously. #The_Crucial_Role_of_Bees Bees are primary pollinators, essential for the reproduction of many plants, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Without bees, our diet and food supply would be significantly impacted. Their pollination work is valued at billions of dollars annually, supporting agriculture and biodiversity. #Common_Misconceptions Fear of bees often stems from misunderstandings: 1. #Honeybees: Sting only when threatened, and die afterward. 2. #Bumblebees: Generally docile, sting only if their nest is disturbed. 3. #SolitaryBees: Non-aggressive, rarely sting. #Declining_Bee_Populations Bee populations are declining due to habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and disease. Pesticides, especially neonicotinoids, are harmful to bees. Responsible pest management and exploring bee-friendly alternatives are crucial. #Responsible_Pesticide_Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) minimizes harm to bees: 1. Apply pesticides when bees are inactive (early morning/late evening). 2. Target applications directly to avoid drift. 3. Use bee-safe pesticides. 4. Create buffer zones around bee habitats. #Creating_Bee_Friendly_Environments Support bees by: 1. Planting native flowers for continuous food sources. 2. Providing water sources with landing spots. 3. Avoiding chemical lawn treatments. 4. Installing bee habitats for solitary bees. #Safely_Coexisting_with_Bees When encountering bees: 1. Stay calm and still. 2. Avoid swatting at them. 3. Respect their space and nests. #Educating_and_Engaging_the_Community Raise awareness through: 1. Hosting workshops on bee conservation and pest management. 2. Partnering with schools for bee education and gardens. 3. Supporting local beekeepers. 4. Advocating for policies promoting bee health. #Conclusion Bees are indispensable to our ecosystem and food production. By adopting responsible practices, creating bee-friendly environments, and educating our communities, we can protect these vital insects. Protecting bees ensures the balance of our natural world and the security of our food supply. Together, we can create a world where bees and humans thrive side by side.

EPA allows highly toxic weed killer on food crops — but not golf courses Concerns about the safety of paraquat, a highly toxic herbicide, pushed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2021 to ban its use on golf courses — but the weedkiller is still permitted for agricultural use, and a new first-of-its-kind analysis shows how the EPA’s continued approval of the substance has put low-income Latino communities at disproportionate risk for health impacts. Most of the weedkiller’s use was concentrated in central counties where farms produce almonds, walnuts, alfalfa and other crops — and where Latino people make up about 75% of the population and nearly the entire farm labor force. Consider running Spanish language Paraquat campaigns. To learn more, please schedule a call: https://lnkd.in/gZZWxpBw Meet At MTMP: Email/Text your availability: [email protected] 949-300-1478 See you in Vegas! #mtmp #mtmpspring24 #masstorts

Using insecticides or pesticides in your lawn can indeed have unintended consequences, harming beneficial insects such as bees and other beneficial bugs. Here's a brief overview: 1. **Impact on Bees:** - **Pesticide Harm:** Many traditional pesticides can be harmful to bees, affecting their ability to forage, navigate, and even harming the colony. - **Neonicotinoids Concerns:** Some insecticides, like neonicotinoids, have been associated with declines in bee populations and are widely debated for their potential long-term environmental impacts. 2. **Effect on Beneficial Bugs:** - **Broad-Spectrum Impact:** Traditional insecticides often target a broad range of insects, not differentiating between harmful pests and beneficial bugs. - **Disruption of Ecosystem:** Killing beneficial bugs disrupts the natural balance in your lawn, potentially leading to increased pest issues over time. 3. **Nematodes and Soil Health:** - **Effects on Nematodes:** While some nematodes can be pests, others play vital roles in maintaining soil health. Indiscriminate pesticide use may harm beneficial nematodes, affecting soil structure and nutrient cycling. **Alternatives for Lawn Care:** - **Integrated Pest Management (IPM):** Adopting IPM focuses on minimizing the impact on beneficial insects while effectively managing pests. - **Natural Predators:** Encourage the presence of natural predators like ladybugs, spiders, and predatory beetles that help control pest populations. - **Beneficial Nematodes:** Consider using specific beneficial nematodes that target harmful pests while sparing beneficial nematodes. **Environmental Considerations:** - **Organic Options:** Opt for organic or environmentally friendly lawn care products that have a lower impact on beneficial insects. - **Selective Treatments:** Target specific pests rather than using broad-spectrum pesticides to minimize collateral damage to beneficial bugs. In summary, being mindful of the potential impact on beneficial insects is crucial when using pesticides in your lawn. Explore alternative approaches that prioritize the health of your lawn ecosystem while effectively managing pest issues. 🌿🐝 #LawnCare #BeneficialInsects #PesticideImpact #EnvironmentallyFriendly 🌼🌱

This is a quick read and a nice article about lightning bugs. I will definitely be checking labels on my lawn care products. "Impact of Pesticide Use on Fireflies in the United States" by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation (2017): This study found that exposure to pesticides can reduce the number of fireflies in a population. The study also found that some pesticides, such as carbaryl and diazinon, are more harmful to fireflies than others. https://lnkd.in/dNgQrCUM

Flea and tick treatments for pets may explain why two banned #pesticides are still present in UK rivers, according to new research.🆕 🚫 Imidacloprid and fipronil were both banned for outdoor agricultural use in 2018 due to concerns about their persistence and toxicity to non-target insects, including bees. > But they are permitted in so-called ‘spot on’ monthly medications for cats and dogs – leading Sussex University scientists to investigate ways that the chemicals could move from pets to waterways. ❗ They found that bathing dogs, washing bedding, and owners washing hands were “all significant sources of river pollution, sufficient to account for much of the pollution found in rivers.” 💡 LGC Standards provides a wide range of reference materials and research chemicals to support your laboratory’s analysis of both fipronil and imidacloprid. Explore our range of standards for insecticides and their metabolites at https://okt.to/xQ2OfZ #PesticideAnalysis #insecticides #neonicotinoids

News on edible insects: "Eating insects: The UK seems much more reluctant than the EU to let this industry flourish" In the EU we often wonder when our legislators wake up to the fact that in order to a) stay competitive in animal feed production, b) have access to and affordable enough animal feed in the (near) future, c) avoid using soy and fish-based feed ingredients that are a major cause of over-fishing and deforestation globally, and d) overall build sustainable solutions to food and feed production, insects-related legislation needs to be opened and reviewed once and for all, following the path of other regions in opening up the use of organic waste as a substrate and allow the use of insects fed with waste to be used as farm animal feed and aquafeed. While according to this story, in the UK things seem to be even worse... Full text: https://lnkd.in/drV74Ef5 #agritech #insects #agriculture #food #insectfarming #feed #insectos #insectes #farmanimals #farming #moscasoldadonegro #worms #biowaste #insectprotein #alternativeproteins #insecten #animalfeed #fertilizer  #insectfarm #organicwaste #foodinnovation #blacksoldierfly

Did you know that #greenhouses can reduce the need for #pesticides? Pesticides are substances that are meant to control pests, such as insects, weeds, rodents, fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Pesticides can be chemical or biological agents that kill, repel, or prevent the growth of pests. Pesticides are widely used in agriculture, industry, and households to protect crops, livestock, and human health from harmful organisms. However, pesticides can also be very expensive and have negative effects on the environment and human health if they are not used properly or safely Here is how Greenhouse #Farming can reduce the need for pesticides: 🌱One of the main advantages of a greenhouse is to control and establish the optimal environment for cultivation. You can adjust the temperature, humidity, lighting, etc 🌱A greenhouse also provides protection against diseases, pests, and other vermin. By creating a barrier between the plants and the outside world, a greenhouse can prevent the entry of harmful insects, fungi, bacteria, and viruses that can damage the crops 🌱A greenhouse can also reduce the spread of pests and diseases within the greenhouse. By using proper ventilation, sanitation, and crop rotation, you can avoid the buildup of pathogens and pests in the soil and on the plants 🌱A greenhouse can also help you use #organic methods to control pests and diseases. 🌱By using a greenhouse, you can reduce the need for pesticides, which can have negative effects on your health, the environment, and the quality of your crops. Pesticides can contaminate the soil, water, and air, and harm beneficial organisms, such as bees and birds. Pesticides can also leave residues on your crops, which can affect their taste, appearance, and nutritional value. As you can see, greenhouses are not only useful for extending your growing seasons and expanding your growing options but also for reducing your dependence on pesticides. For all your Greenhouse related worries, leave us a message or visit our website www.idealfarmers.co for more information. #IdealFarmers #Cameroon #construction #management

Researchers think flea and tick treatments for pets may explain why two banned #pesticides are still turning up in UK rivers. 🚫 Imidacloprid and fipronil were both banned for outdoor agricultural use in 2018 due to concerns about their persistence and toxicity to non-target insects, including bees. > But they are permitted in so-called ‘spot on’ monthly medications for cats and dogs – leading Sussex University scientists to investigate ways that the chemicals could move from pets to waterways. ❗ They found that bathing dogs, washing bedding, and owners washing hands were “all significant sources of river pollution, sufficient to account for much of the pollution found in rivers.” 💡 LGC Standards provides a wide range of reference materials and research chemicals to support your laboratory’s analysis of both fipronil and imidacloprid. Explore our range of standards for insecticides and their metabolites at https://okt.to/MPgsWZ as well as our Neonicotinoids in groundwater proficiency testing sample https://okt.to/ha6wXM #PesticideAnalysis #insecticides #neonicotinoids

Should You Use Weed Control Mats in the Garden Instead of Pesticides? Using Weed Control Mats in the garden can be a useful method to prevent weed growth and reduce reliance on pesticides. However, the consideration of whether to completely replace pesticides with weed mats depends on several factors: ✅ Environmental Impact: Using weed membranes can reduce the amount of pesticides needed, minimizing negative impacts on the environment ✅ Weed Control Effectiveness: PP woven fabric may not always provide absolute effectiveness in preventing weed growth. Some types of weeds may break through or infiltrate the mat. In contrast, the use of pesticides can effectively control both weeds and harmful insects. ✅ Cost and Maintenance: Weed control fabric requires a higher initial cost but may reduce expenses over time compared to regular pesticide purchases. However, mats may need replacement if damaged, impacting long-term costs. Choosing between the use of weed mats and pesticides or a combination of both depends on the specific needs of the cultivated area, environmental protection goals, and available resources for maintenance. Sometimes, a combination of methods may yield the best results. - - ✨ EPP VIETNAM COMPANY LIMITED 🌐https://epp.vn/ ; https://lnkd.in/gkSE_Rv4 📲 84 986 002 888 📩 [email protected] #plasticcover #plasticgroundcover #plasticfilm #plasticmulch #PEcover #PEgroundcover #PEfilm #PEmulch #PEcover #PEfilm #PEmulch #PPcover #PPgroundcover #PPfilm #PPmulch #PPcover #PPfilm #PPmulch #agriculturecover #agriculturegroundcover #agriculturefilm #agriculturemulch #weedbarrier #weedmat #weedbarriergroundcover #groundcover #weedcontrolfabric #antiweedfabric #antiweedcloth #weedcontrolcloth #antigrasscloth #antigrassfabric #antigrassgroundcover #gardenweedmat #weedcontrolmat #weedmatforgarden