Neonicotinoid Pesticide Screen
Neonicotinoids, or neonics for short, are a class of synthetic insecticides derived from nicotine in common use around the world on crops, golf courses, gardens and so on. They are also often present in pet treatments for fleas and tics.
They were initially developed in the 1990s and work by binding to the nerves of insects and then overstimulating before killing them. Exposure to neonics can leave insects twitching and shaking uncontrollably — this is soon replaced by paralysis and later death.
Doses that are insufficient to kill insects can still have a significant impact with neonicotinoids weakening functions such as navigation, immune system and fertility, among others.
Unlike contact pesticides, which remain on the surface of the treated foliage, neonics are systemic pesticides, meaning that these are taken up by the foliage and become present on all of its aspects, including roots, flowers, leaves and, crucially, pollen and nectar.
The last part is crucial because of its impact on pollinators. Falling global bee populations point to this and consequently ongoing scrutiny of legislation around the use of neonicotinoids is ongoing with several jurisdictions, including the EU and UK, putting in place limits on their use.
For more information on neonicotinoids, see the EC’s food safety fact sheet here.
Full list of elements included in the SafeSoilUK Neonicotinoid Pesticide Screen:
- acetamiprid
- clothianidin
- dinotefuran
- imidacloprid
- thiacloprid
- thiamethoxam
Please note: The level of detection for the above products is 0.10 mg/kg. Since, there are no “safe” levels of these, we cannot evaluate whether their presence above this threshold poses a risk to human and/or wildlife health.
Please see the SafeSoilUK Pesticide Residue Test to screen soil for organochlorine and organophosphate class pesticides.
Shipping info:
We will send you a testing kit that includes labeled soil sample amber jar(s) and instructions on how to take a sample from your growing space. When you're done, place the container(s) back in the box that will have a pre-paid postage address label already affixed, seal it and pop the package into a Royal Mail post box or drop it off at a local post office.