Support Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) to restrict toxic neonic pesticides!
Neonicotinoids (neonics) are a class of widely used pesticides that threaten many pollinators and aquatic ecosystems. USGS data documents harmful levels of neonics in Connecticut’s waters:
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In 2016, 76 of 155 CT surface water samples exceeded safe benchmarks of neonics for aquatic life in a statewide survey.
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In 2024, a study of surface waters in Fairfield County detected neonics in 31 out of 50 samples. All exceeded safe benchmarks for aquatic life.
Very small amounts of neonicotinoids are harmful to insects. One square foot of lawn treated with a neonicotinoid pesticide at EPA-approved levels can contain enough of the chemical to kill over a million bees (NRDC).
The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) links neonics to devastating declines in birds, bees, butterflies, and other insects and to jeopardizing over 200 endangered and listed species. The high solubility of neonics in water makes them a potential threat to aquatic ecosystems, to aquatic macroinvertebrates, as well as to the fish, frogs, birds and other wildlife that depend on them for survival.
Senate Bill 9 restricts unnecessary uses of these harmful insecticides on lawns and turf grasses.
Contact your legislators today! Urge them to pass SB 9. Thank you for helping to protect our waters!
