Bees and neonicotinoid pesticides

Some of my best friends keep bees, and as a keen gardener as well as someone who wishes to reduce environmental harm, I was pleased to read there is now firm evidence to suggest why honey bees have mysteriously been in decline. I was sad however to read that agri-business is not acting on this as yet. A good appraisal of the risk of neonicotinoids in pesticides is here. Please check any spray pesticides you have at home for these chemicals, and if present, please do not use them. You can write to the producer asking them to stop using these harmful chemicals in their garden products. Many less harmful alternatives are easily available.