Planting corn has begun! If you are planting corn treated with a neonicotinoid insecticide, make sure you are using best practices to minimize any movement of the seed treatment to off-target sites. Neonicotinoids can be extremely toxic to insects and even the dust created during planting can negatively impact beneficial insect populations like natural insect enemies and pollinators.
So, what can you do to mitigate potential neonicotinoid harm?
- Contact your local beekeepers with the time you plan on planting your NTS with enough time for beekeepers to relocate any nearby hives.
- Follow American Seed Trade Association and CropLife America safety regulations found in The Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship: https://seed-treatment-guide.com/
- Learn about risk management and target NTS pests like seedcorn maggot and wireworm with the factsheets below and watch the Managing Neonicotinoids in Row Crops webinar series.
Resources can be found on UVM Extension Northwest Crops and Soil website: https://www.uvm.edu/extension/nwcrops
Factsheets:
Neonicotinoids & Risk Management: https://legacy.drup2.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Northwest-Crops-and-Soils-Program/Articles_and_Factsheets/Neonicotinoids_Risk_Management_Final.pdf
Wireworm and Neonicotinoid Treated Seed in Row Crops: https://legacy.drup2.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Northwest-Crops-and-Soils-Program/Articles_and_Factsheets/Neonicotinoid_and_Wireworm_Final.pdf
Seedcorn Maggot and Neonicotinoid Treated Seed in Row Crops: https://legacy.drup2.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/Northwest-Crops-and-Soils-Program/Articles_and_Factsheets/Neonicotinoid_and_Seedcorn_Maggot_Final.pdf
Managing Neonicotinoids in Row Crops Webinar series: https://www.uvm.edu/extension/nwcrops/conferences-events-current-and-past