John,

Pesticides are poisoning bees. When bees are exposed to a widely-used class of pesticides called neonicotinoids, they face uncontrollable shaking and paralysis, and then they die.1

Our most important pollinators are dying in droves. To save the bees, we need to end the widespread use of bee-killing pesticides.

That's why we're calling on Walmart, one of the biggest retailers in the country, to stop selling bee-killing neonicotinoids.

Tell Walmart to stop selling bee-killing pesticides.

Walmart is a one-stop shop for all kinds of essentials, but pesticides that kill our most important pollinators aren't essential at all.

With over 4,500 stores throughout the U.S., if Walmart stops selling neonicotinoids (neonics), it could help a lot of lawns and gardens become less toxic to bees.2

Even a single application of toxic pesticides has long-lasting effects on bees. It can take multiple generations for a family of bees to recover. And for some bees, they collect pesticide-laden pollen and nectar over and over again, until it eventually takes their life.3

Bee populations are plummeting. We need to end the worst uses of neonic pesticides.

At the store, it's hard to tell what pesticides contain bee-killing pesticides unless you know to read the fine print for half a dozen different chemicals such as imidacloprid or clothianidin. Walmart can help customers avoid pesticides that kill bees if it stops selling them altogether.

Take action to help convince Walmart to stop selling neonics.

We know Walmart wants to do the right thing for the bees. Walmart itself has recognized the importance of pollinators on its website and has made some concrete commitments to protect bees and other pollinators.4

By 2025, Walmart will only sell fresh produce that is grown at farms with integrated pest management strategies, a kind of farming that reduces pesticide use and harm to pollinators. It also labels pollinator-friendly plants at Walmart garden centers, and intends to establish pollinator habitats at some of its stores.5

The company's efforts so far are a good start to reduce Walmart's impact on our most important pollinators. But Walmart is still selling gallons and gallons of pesticides that kill bees.

Walmart is already trying to help the bees, and now we need to convince the company to stop selling bee-killing pesticides at its supercenters and online.

Tell Walmart to be a superstar for the bees and stop selling bee-killing neonics.

Thank you,

Ellen Montgomery

1. Oliver Milman, "Fears for bees as US set to extend use of toxic pesticides that paralyse insects," The Guardian, March 8, 2022.
2. "Location Facts," Walmart, last accessed July 25, 2023.
3. Amy Quinton, "Pesticides Can Affect Multiple Generations of Bees," University of California, Davis, November 29, 2021.
4. TJ Stallbaumer, "At Walmart, a brighter future in store for pollinators," Walmart, April 22, 2022.
5. "Walmart U.S. Pollinator Health Position," Walmart, last accessed July 25, 2023.