Neonicotinoids: A Snapshot

Here is a brief snapshot of neonicotinoids. There are already many resources concerning neonicotinoids on this site, and I will be adding further resources to this and other pages in the future.

Neonicotinoid insecticides active ingredients list:

These are the active ingredients:

Clothianidin

Imidacloprid

Thiamethoxam

Dinetofuron

Acetimiprid

Thiacloprid

Note: 'nest generation' neonicotinoids are being added to this list - read about Sulfoxaflor and others.

Garden insecticides containing neonicotinoids

These may vary by country, and in addition, products may change/switch from one neonicotinoid to another.

However, if you wish to avoid neonicotinoids, I recommend you check the labels for the active ingredient, and especially for the following brand names:

Provado,
BugClear,
Valliant,
Bug Attack,
Westland Plant Rescue,
Multi-rose Bug Killer,
Roseclear.

Tips for avoiding neonicotinoids in your garden

Think twice about using vine weevil killers, and always check the label!
There may be other brands containing neonicotinoids, some less well known. Be sure to check the ingredient.
Similarily, check lawn treatment products and fencing treatments/preservatives.

More About Neonicotinoids In Your Garden

Unfortunately, plants labelled as ‘Bee-Friendly’ when you buy them from the garden centre, home store or nursery, or even supermarket, may actually pose a threat to bees if they have been treated with neonicotinoids.

Neonicotinoids are often used in the horticulture industry, and plants and bulbs are sometimes treated with neonicotinoids. What you therefore end up with is a plant that poisons bees and other pollinators when it flowers.

This is a very sad state of affairs. I recommend you:

Grow from seed when you can (use uncoated seeds. Coated seeds may be pinkish in appearance)
Buy from an organic supplier (in my view, especially important for bulbs, I think), or only from a retailer who guarantees they have banned all neonicotinoid treated plants from sale (for ALL groups of neonicotinoids – some retailers have restricted only some of them).
Swap with other gardeners you trust, especially older stock.