As of January 1, 2025, popular lawn and garden pesticides belonging to the neonicotinoid class, can no longer be used by home gardeners on outdoor fruit trees, lawns, or ornamental plants in California. These changes come from a new law that limits neonicotinoid use to only those with a pesticide applicator license. In this article, we explain what home gardeners need to know about this new law and neonicotinoids.
What are neonicotinoids?
Neonicotinoids are a class of systemic insecticides that cause insects to become paralyzed and die. These pesticides are used to control a variety of insect pests around the home, garden, and landscape including termites, aphids, and fleas. The active ingredients imidacloprid, acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, and thiamethoxam all belong to the neonicotinoid class. Many home and garden pesticide products contain these active ingredients, such as:
- Bonide Annual Tree & Shrub Insect Control with Systemaxx
- Bonide Systemic Rose & Flower Care
- Monterey Once a Year Insect Control II
- Monterey Fruit Tree & Vegetable Systemic Soil Drench
- BioAdvanced 3-In-1 Insect, Disease & Mite Control Concentrate
- BioAdvanced 12 Month Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed Granules
Why are they being limited?
Neonicotinoids have been under scrutiny in the U.S. and other countries for years due to their negative impact on honeybees and other pollinators. Since neonicotinoids are systemic pesticides, they are absorbed by the plant, via the roots or foliage, and then moved throughout the plant to the leaves, flowers, nectar, and pollen. When pollinators feed on nectar or pollen from neonicotinoid treated plants, they may die.
Many neonicotinoid products contain a warning on the label that states, “Do not apply when bees are foraging” or “Do not apply to plants in bloom” to inform users about the potential for the product to harm honeybees and other pollinators. Unfortunately, the pesticide label is often not read, and these precautions are not followed. When used properly, neonicotinoid pesticides can actually reduce risks to people and non-target organisms like honeybees. For example, neonicotinoids are often applied as a soil drench to treat large trees where foliar insect sprays are more difficult and would result in increased exposure to the pesticide.
The new law, Assembly Bill 363, restricts the purchase and outdoor use of most neonicotinoid products by individuals who do not have a pesticide applicator license. Effective January 1, 2025, only those with a valid Qualified Applicator Certificate or License (QAC or QAL) from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation are allowed to apply these pesticides to fruit trees, turfgrass, and ornamental plants. Licensed professionals are trained in pesticide safety and risk losing their license or livelihood if pesticides are not applied correctly and according to California laws and regulation.
How does this affect you?
Individuals without a pesticide applicator license cannot apply neonicotinoids on:
- Ornamental (non-food) plants such as trees, shrubs, or flowers
- Fruit and nut trees
- Turfgrass (lawns)
But unlicensed individuals can still use neonicotinoids on:
- Garden fruit and vegetables (berries, melons, grapes, tomatoes)
- Indoor pests such as ants
- Houseplants
- Pets (flea and tick)
If a product is listed for use in multiple sites, you must now follow this new law and only apply to the sites indicated above. For example, products labeled for use on vegetables and fruit trees, such as Monterey's Fruit Tree & Vegetable Systemic Soil Drench, can only be applied to vegetables under this new law. Use of this product on fruit trees by unlicensed applicators would be illegal.
Previously purchased neonicotinoid pesticides can no longer be used and will need to be properly disposed of. Opened or unused products should never be dumped down drains or placed into your household waste bin. Visit your local household hazardous waste (HHW) site for disposal. Call 1-800-CLEANUP (1-800-253-2687) or check with your local waste management program to find a HHW site nearest to you.
Fortunately, there are other effective pesticides and tools you can use to manage pests without neonicotinoids. To find out more, visit the UC IPM Pest Notes fact sheets to view chemical and non-chemical management options. If you wish to use a neonicotinoid to manage infestations on turfgrass, fruit and nut trees, or ornamental plants, hire a licensed professional to make the application for you. To view information on bee toxicity, as well as other information, for specific pesticide active ingredients, see the UC IPM Pesticide Active Ingredient Database.
Where can you learn more about this law?
Protecting Pollinators & Wildlife with New Laws in CA (webinar): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjdzQ1DpCiE
Assembly Bill No. 363, Pesticides: neonicotinoids for nonagricultural use: reevaluation: control measures: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB363
Notice of New Law Regarding Neonicotinoid Pesticides for Non-Agricultural Outdoor Use: https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/stakeholder-notice/notice-of-new-law-regarding-neonicotinoid-pesticides-for-non-agricultural-outdoor-use-2/
Neonicotinoid Q&A: https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/cac-letter/neonicotinoid-pesticides-for-non-agricultural-outdoor-use-new-law-and-questions-and-answers/
No endorsements of named or depicted products are intended, nor is criticism implied of products not mentioned or included.