Ortho to eliminate neonics from outdoor products

Marysville, Ohio -- The Ortho brand of insect control products has announced plans to immediately begin a transition away from the use of neonicotinoid-based pesticides for outdoor use. Ortho also announced a new partnership with the Pollinator Stewardship Council to help educate homeowners on the safe and appropriate use of pesticides.

Earlier this spring, Ortho expanded its selection of non-neonic based garden solutions. Building on this process, the brand will eliminate the use of neonic active ingredients imidacloprid, clothianidin and dinotefuran by 2017.

Ortho and its parent company, ScottsMiracle-Gro, also announced a multi-year partnership with the Pollinator Stewardship Council, a supporter of more than 550 beekeepers throughout the United States. The company has previously collaborated with the council to promote pollinator habitats, and the partnership will develop homeowner education related to the responsible use of pesticides where pollinators can be found. In January, ScottsMiracle-Gro also announced the Pollinator Promise, a program intended to create 75 pollinator gardens in cities throughout the U.S. this year.

ScottsMiracle-Gro will also work with the Pollinator Stewardship Council and other partners to encourage government agencies to allow the use of label language that makes the option to purchase non-neonic pesticides more apparent for homeowners.