Homeowners planting flowers in their yards thinking they're saving bees

[elleng]

are basically planting poison plants.

Many of the plants you buy at Home Depot and Lowe's may be treated with bee-killing neonictinoids. Because there's no clear labeling, many good-intentioned gardeners end up poisoning the very bees they are trying to help! http://ow.ly/xakJk (*Home Depot has indicated it is working on safer alternatives, but Lowe's has not yet responded).

That's just one of the many things you'll learn from our fascinating photo essay featuring beekeepers and experts! Check it out >> http://ow.ly/xakJk The more you learn, the more you can help protect our bees!

https://www.facebook.com/Earthjustice/photos/a.10150167454470301.407971.15771560300/10154197529240301/?type=1&fref=nf

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. This is an issue we have been trying very hard to inform people about

as part of the Master Gardener program in my area. And it's been fairly successful. Most of the local garden centers now either no longer sell neonicotinoid-treated plants at all or attach labels to the plants they grow themselves that they can guarantee neonics weren't used. But the big-box stores can't guarantee how their plants were grown so we advise people to get their plants from places that can.

[CrispyQ]

2. Thank you for this.

Would love to have you post in GD for wider audience. I think it applies. ???

[elleng]

3. OK,

Will do.

[dolphinsandtuna]

4. Are plants you grow yourself from seed safe?