Action speaks louder than words. They even speak louder than money!! It's great to donate money to an organization, but nothing is more effective than your advocacy. Just as one bee visits hundreds of plants you have the ability to spread this information far and wide. Your access to your friends, family and neighbors and your passion about this issue will make a difference. Remember: Most people want to help the bees and butterflies, they just don't know how. You are empowering them with this information and most will be glad to receive it. Whether you want to take simple steps or become more involved here's how:
Print the stickers on this website and distribute to your friends, family and neighbors so they can check their bottles at home and label them so they don't get used. Encourage them to tape the lids of the bottles shut and drop them off at a hazardous waste disposal site (many recycling centers do this.) If you don't have sticker paper just print them on regular paper and use tape!
Order stickers from a professional sticker printer and distribute widely. 1000 stickers can be ordered for around 50 bucks. There are many ways to distribute them. You can go out yourself to local farmers markets, herb festivals, flower shows, or fairs. You could also send stickers to groups that already exist and attend these types of events and ask them to help distribute the stickers. This might include local bee clubs, flower associations, nature centers and similar types of organizations.
Become familiar with simple talking points about neonics so that you can speak clearly and answer questions. It may feel hard the first few times but it gets easier with practice. Here are some suggestions: Not all pesticides contain neonics. Neonics are derived from tobacco. Neonics stay in the soil for up to 3 years. Neonics are systemic, this means that they express in the pollen and nectar, which is why they are harming bees and butterflies. Just one encounter with neonics can infect a whole hive. Bees pollinate 40% of crops and 90% of wild plants. Residential use of neonics is the main problem. Many plants at nurseries contain neonics. Diluted vinegar or dishsoap works well as a cheap and easly alternative.
Print flyers (or make your own!) if you need help with communicating the information or will be handing stickers at an event.
Carry stickers around with you, you may be surprised at how many chances you have to hand them out or use them.
Home Depot and Lowe's have said they are going to stop selling pesticides and plants with neonics, but many stores still have them. Point out to workers these products are in the store and let them know the harm they cause and that they are supposedly not being sold there.
If you are going to buy a plant from a nursery then check to make sure that it doesn't contain neonics. Let the people at the nursery know that you are concerned about neonics. If they don't know if the plant contains them then call or email the company listed on the label. Let that company know that you won't buy their plants if they are poisoned with neonics. You can read more about this problem here: http://www.wired.com/2014/06/garden-center-neonicotinoids/ . If in doubt save your money and skip the plant or buy some seeds instead of a potted plant.
Support your local organic farmers by buying a csa or shopping at farmers markets.
If you plan on making a batch of homemade pesticides for yourself (many recipes on the info page) then make extra and give some away. Most recipes are very inexpenive to make and just take a little time. Here are some recipes:
http://eartheasy.com/grow_nat_pest_cntrl.htm
http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/PNW649/PNW649.pdf
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Natural-Insecticide
http://www.gardenguides.com/99364-vinegar-insect-garden-spray.html
Let's act like pollinators to spread this information from person to person and make a difference!.