A Project Of: Beyond & Center for Food Safety Managing Pests Safely Without : For Homes, Schools, and Other Indoor/Outdoor Areas eonicotinoids (or “neonics” for short) are a group of chemicals that kill a wide range of pests, including , , and . However, they can also kill and impair the survival of like honey , wild bees, and butterflies, and can also Nimpact beneficial , birds and other non-insect species. Beekeepers are reporting unprecedented losses, as high as 90 percent, in hives across the county. Since we rely on many of these organisms for essential services like the of a third of the foods we eat, it is important for us to avoid using these chemicals and instead look for safer alternatives to managing pests in our homes, gardens, schools and communities.

Neonicotinoid-Free sources, including left over pet Common Members of the food. Empty trash regularly and Indoor Environments store with a secure fitting lid. Family: Several neonicotinoid products are - de Store outdoor garbage away Chemical Name Product signed to kill indoor pests such as ants, ter- from buildings. mites, bedbugs, as well as pests on indoor, 2 in 1 Systemic Rose & potted plants like whiteflies and aphids. Imi- Keep Sealed. Store food in glass FlowerCare, Killer dacloprid and are commonly or plastic containers with tight- Granules, Ortho Bug B Gone found in these indoor products and can be fitting lids. applied in our homes, schools and other Arena indoor environments. However, you can Monitor. Inspect and monitor Meridian Insecticide control pests safely without exposing your hiding areas like cup- boards, moist areas and wall family, children, and pets to neonicotinoids Dinotefuran Hot Shot Roach and Gel cracks. and other toxic pesticides with these simple Bait, Green Light Tree and measures: Use Least-Toxic Alternatives. Shrub Insect Control Cleaning away ants with soap Ortho Flower, Fruit & Ants and Roaches: Deny Access. Caulk and water will disrupt the chemi- Vegetable Insect Killer all gaps and openings (entry points for cal trails of ants. baits pests), preferentially with caulking. or gels, and Keep Clean: Clean up and remove food can also be used to target larger populations acid. Eliminate all earth-to-wood contact, of ants and roaches that including mulch, firewood, trellises, shrub- cannot be sealed out. bery or tree branches that come in contact with the structure. Tip! Since most indoor ants originate outside, Treat. Desiccating dusts, such as diatoma- you can find their source ceous earth and silica aerogel can be used of entry by following to prevent drywood termites. Choose a des- the ant trail. Cinnamon, iccating dust that it is not combined with coffee grinds, chili - pep a /, and food/garden per, paprika, cloves, and grade diatomaceous earth. Heat treatments dried peppermint all re- can also successfully kill termites. pel ants. Secured Baits. Many bait stations contain Safer Product Sugges- a toxicant that is brought back to the col- tion: EcoSmart Ant and ony by the foraging termites, after which Roach Killer. they are destroyed. Baits greatly limit the amount of a used compared to Concerned About Kids at School? Termites: While some the traditional liquid termiticide soil barrier alternative treatments method of control, and decrease chances of Children are especially vulnerable to pesticide exposures. are available, prevention exposure to the chemical because the baits Talk to your school’s principal, administrator, or PTA about is the best method. are well contained. They are, however, still developing a safe school management program that poisons and should be used with utmost would use least-toxic options for . Provide Deny Access. Unfinished care and only as a last resort. school with materials regarding the dangers of pesticide wood can be protected use and the availability of alternatives. from termite attack by Tip! Ensure good drainage away from build- treatment with boric ing structures – point downspouts or gutters What is Diatomaceous earth, and where can I find it? pest control companies provide this option, but you may have to ask for it. Diatomaceous earth is the fossilized remains of minute aquatic organisms, whose shells are naturally high in silica. Most diatomaceous earth products come in powder or dust Tip! Eliminate clutter. Getting rid of as much form, and while it is generally safe to humans and other vertebrates, diatomaceous earth clutter as possible will help you locate and is toxic to many insects, including bed bugs, , spiders, , and fleas. Diato- eliminate infestations. maceous earth pesticide products can be found in many garden stores, and 100% food- grade diatomaceous earth products are available online and in some health stores. Safer Product Suggestion: Food-grade Dia- tomaceous Earth.

Treating Indoor Potted Plants: Fatty away from the structure to minimize attrac- ment does not contain synthetic pesticides acid soaps/ insecticidal soaps. Commonly tive water sources. impregnated in the material. used soaps containing potassium and co- conut oil are effective in controlling many Safer Product Suggestion: Bio-Blast® Bio- Keep Clean. Vacuuming can remove visible soft-bodied insects, such as aphids, , and logical Termiticide. bed bugs, dead bed bugs and their drop- mites. Lightly spray all foliage and branches pings. Use a stiff brush to dislodge eggs in when pest activity is apparent, and follow Bedbugs: While there is no magic bul- cracks and crevices and use a vacuum attach- product application directions. let solution to bed bug eradication, there ment that does not have bristles to get into are many ways to effectively control them the corners. Be sure to discard the bag im- Biological oils and herbal repellents. These without the use of dangerous chemical pes- mediately after vacuuming. oils and extracts are effective in controlling ticides. Many pesticides are less effective aphids, adelgids, spider mites, mealy bugs, against these persistent pests, due to a grow- Launder Infested Fabrics and Clothing. Wash sawfly larvae, whiteflies, plant bugs, - cater ing global resistance. and dry clothing at the hottest setting the fab- pillars, scales, and some plant diseases like ric will allow to kill bedbugs and their eggs. rusts and mildews. Some materials in this Deny Access. Caulk and seal crevices to pre- category include garlic and pepper extracts, vent bed bugs from entering your home. Heat Treatments. This will kill all stages of neem, and tea tree oil. Inspect clothing and bags after travel to re- bedbugs and involves exposing the bugs to move hitchhiking bugs. Encase mattresses extreme hot temperatures (~120o F). Stream Safer Product Suggestion: Safer Insect Kill- and box springs and make sure the encase- or heated ambient air maybe used. Many ing Soap.

Neonicotinoid-Free door plants or lawns encounter unwelcome will not do much damage. Some bugs can be pests, there are safer ways to manage these handpicked and removed or destroyed. Outdoor Environments creatures. Treat. Insecticidal soaps and biological/es- Homes, Schools, Playgrounds, Prevention. Many pest species, aphids in sential oils can also be used on outdoor and Other Landscapes: It can be fun particular, are partial to plants fertilized with plants and vegetation to control pests. In spending time outdoors caring for our home, excess nitrogen, typical of synthetic fertilizer addition, pheromone traps can be used for school, or community lawns and gardens. applications. Instead, opt for fertilizing with certain species. For lawns, nematodes, or Ba- But outdoor application of pesticides can be organic compost, compost teas, or fish emul- cillus Thuringiensis (Bt) can take care of many detrimental to nearby foraging bees, butter- sion as these release nitrogen and other nu- soil swelling insects. flies and other beneficial species even after trients slowly into the soil. Create a diverse application, as neonicotinoid pesticide resi- garden or backyard with a variety of native Tip! Certain plants and herbs are natural dues can remain in plants, soil, and water for flowers, grasses, and bushes to encourage nat- repellents to insect pests, or attract natural long periods of time, even years! If your out- ural predators like birds or ladybugs. For lawns, predators. Plant these intermittently among maintain a high mowing garden plants. Ask your local garden supply height (>2 inches) and less store for species native to your region. frequent watering. Tip! When outdoors, make sure bees and Monitor. Determine you other beneficial insects are not foraging be- infestation level to decide fore you use botanical/essential oil sprays, as the appropriate level of direct exposure to high doses may smother action. Infestations can and harm bees. Apply early mornings or in be detected early by ex- late evening, when bees are least active. amining plants and trees for eggs sacs or adults. For more information, visit Low level infestations www.BEEprotective.org