Pesticides and pollinators
WHAT WE SHOULD KNOW
Why pollinators matter
Pollinators play a vital role in healthy ecosystems and global food production. Bees, butterflies, birds, bats and other pollinating species help produce around one-third of the food we eat while supporting the reproduction of countless flowering plants.
Australia is home to more than 2,000 species of native bees, most of which are solitary and found nowhere else in the world. These native pollinators have evolved alongside Australia's unique plants over thousands of years and are essential to maintaining biodiversity.
When pollinator populations decline, the impacts extend far beyond agriculture. Native plants struggle to reproduce, reducing food and habitat for birds, insects and small mammals. Over time, entire ecosystems can become less resilient.
Scientists around the world have reported significant declines in both managed honeybee colonies and wild pollinator populations, a phenomenon now known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Research points to a combination of habitat loss, climate change, disease and pesticide exposure as key contributing factors.
The impact of pesticides
Pesticides are designed to kill or control pests, but many can also affect beneficial insects, including bees and other pollinators.
A growing body of scientific evidence has linked some pesticides to reduced pollinator health, impaired navigation and foraging behaviour, lower reproductive success and increased vulnerability to disease and environmental stress.
Pollinators can be exposed to pesticides through direct spraying, contaminated pollen and nectar, treated seeds, soil and water. Even low-level exposure can have cumulative impacts over time.
Reducing the use of harmful pesticides is one of the most effective actions governments, organisations, communities and gardeners can take to support pollinator populations.
Understanding neonicotinoids
Neonicotinoids, often called "neonics", are among the most widely used insecticides in the world.
Unlike many pesticides that remain on the surface of a plant, neonicotinoids are systemic chemicals. They are absorbed throughout the plant's tissues, including its leaves, flowers, pollen and nectar.
This means pollinators may be exposed whenever they feed on treated plants.
Many agricultural crops and ornamental plants are grown from neonicotinoid-treated seed. As a result, pollinators may be exposed whenever they feed on treated plants.
Research has shown that neonicotinoids can affect bees' ability to navigate, forage, learn and reproduce. They may also increase susceptibility to pests, diseases and other environmental pressures.
Particular concern has been raised about products containing the active ingredients:
- Imidacloprid
- Clothianidin
- Thiamethoxam
These chemicals have been restricted or banned for some uses in a number of countries due to concerns about their impact on pollinators.
In Australia, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is currently reviewing neonicotinoid chemicals as part of an ongoing regulatory assessment. Publication of the proposed regulatory decisions for individual neonicotinoid actives is expected by October 2026.
Before purchasing any pesticide, review the list of common neonicotinoid pesticide brand names and check active ingredients on packaging. Avoid products known to be harmful to bees and other pollinators.
Safer ways to manage garden pests
Supporting pollinators does not mean accepting pest damage in the garden. Many effective alternatives can reduce the need for broad-spectrum pesticides.
These include:
- companion planting to improve plant health and deter pests naturally
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which combines monitoring, prevention and targeted interventions
- encouraging beneficial insects such as ladybirds, lacewings and predatory wasps
- physical controls such as hand removal, barriers and traps
- natural repellents including garlic or chilli-based sprays where appropriate
- improving soil health to grow stronger, more resilient plants
- biodynamic preparations may help to improve the vitality of soil, help plants become more resistant to pests and diseases and to increase the nutritional value of food.
- diatomaceous earth - a natural pesticide made from fossilised shells and deters a variety of garden pests when dusted on plants or applied to soil
- when purchasing plants, ask the retailer whether they have been treated with neonicotinoids.
Can cities save bees?
Cities are often viewed as places where nature has been pushed aside. However, research suggests that urban environments can provide important refuges for pollinators when they include diverse green spaces, flowering plants and reduced pesticide use.
Parks, gardens, nature strips, green roofs and community gardens can all contribute valuable habitat. In some cases, cities may support surprisingly high levels of pollinator diversity.
Researchers and urban ecologists increasingly recognise that cities have an important role to play in pollinator conservation through thoughtful planning, habitat creation and reduced chemical use.
Why bee-friendly cities are the key to food security
Protecting pollinators is not just about conserving biodiversity. It is also about safeguarding the systems that support food production.
Pollinators contribute billions of dollars to global agriculture each year and are essential for many fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Without healthy pollinator populations, food production becomes more difficult, more expensive and less resilient.
Around the world, cities and local governments are taking action through bee-friendly initiatives that reduce pesticide use, expand pollinator habitat and increase community awareness.
Programs such as Bee City USA have demonstrated how local governments can make practical commitments to support pollinators through:
- reducing or eliminating harmful pesticide use in public spaces
- planting pollinator-friendly native species
- creating connected habitat corridors
- supporting community education and engagement
- integrating biodiversity into urban planning.
Bee-friendly cities are helping to create healthier environments for people and wildlife alike. By protecting pollinators today, we can strengthen biodiversity, improve urban resilience and help secure the future of our food systems.
Learn more
Explore the resources below to learn more about pollinators, pesticides and bee-friendly communities.
Why pollinators matter
- Why bees are essential to people and planet – UN Environment Programme
- FAO – Pollinators and food production
- IPBES Assessment Report on Pollinators, Pollination and Food Production
- Beyond honey bees: Wild bees are also key pollinators, and some species are disappearing – The Conversation
Pollinator decline: understanding the challenge
- Declining Bee Populations Pose a Threat to Global Agriculture – Elizabeth Grossman, 2016, Yale School of the Environment
- Declining Bee Populations – Stroud Town Council, UK
- 2020 World Bee Day We-BEE-Nar – Australian neuroethanologist, Dr Andrew Barron, discusses how bees and bee colonies are impacted by pesticide and disease stressors, and how we might best intervene to help colonies under stress.
Pesticides and pollinator health
- Worldwide Integrated Assessment of the Impact of Systemic Pesticides on Biodiversity and Ecosystems (WIA) – a synthesis of 1121 published peer-reviewed studies.
- The Task Force on Systemic Pesticides
- Task Force on Systemic Pesticides – effects of neonics on biodiversity poster
- Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority – role in regulating neonicotinoids in Australia
- Roadmap for insect pollinator risk assessments in Australia - a tiered process for evaluating potential adverse effects on pollinating bees from exposure to pesticides.
- The Australian Pesticides Map reveals that Fipronil - a broad-spectrum phenylpyrazole insecticide used to control ants, termites, cockroaches, and fleas - has been responsible for bee deaths.
- The European Union Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive (SUD) aims to achieve a sustainable use of pesticides in the EU by reducing the risks and impacts of pesticide use on human health and the environment and promoting the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and of alternative approaches or techniques, such as non-chemical alternatives to pesticides.
- Beyond pesticides works with allies in protecting public health and the environment to lead the transition to a world free of toxic pesticides.
Creating bee friendly cities and communities
- Expert Roundtable: Can cities save bees? How can urban habitats be made to serve pollinator conservation? How can that story be better told? – Nature of Cities Festival, 2016
- The city as a refuge for insect pollinators – 2017, University of Plymouth
- Cities for People and Nature – The Clean Air and Urban Landscapes Hub
- Pollinator-centred placemaking – Perth, Australia
- Melbourne Pollinator Corridor
- Bee workshops helping to turn Newcastle into pollinator-friendly city
- Costa Rican city grants bees and trees citizenship and transformed its urban planning to reflect the connection between humans and wildlife. Their plan is to convert every street into a bio corridor and every neighbourhood into an ecosystem.
- EU Pollinator Week
Taking action for pollinators
- Be bee friendly – no neonicotinoid insecticides in your garden (PDF, 329KB) – ACT for Bees brochure
- Australian Pollinator Week - communicating the importance of native bees and other insect pollinators to community groups
- Bee Friendly Farming – encouraging insect pollinators in farm and garden landscapes.
- Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd, a not-for-profit organisation, fosters, safeguards and restores the natural environment of our soils through the development and promotion of the biodynamic method.
- Xerces Society – Pollinator Conservation Program (USA)
- For the Love of Bees (NZ) - a not-for-profit trust focused on teaching biology-first regenerative horticulture, with courses designed to support professional growers, passionate home gardeners, urban farmers and environmental advocates who are interested in the power of biology to cultivate resilience both economically and ecologically.