Barbara,

Of all the many things I worry about in the garden, Spinosad is very low on the list. I use it in several different formulations.

It is in the fire ant killer ("Come And Get It") that we use to control fire ants in the landscape areas around our home.

It is in the fire ant bait (Safer Organic Fire Ant Bait) that I use occasionally in the veggie garden.

It is in the "Slug-Go Plus" that I use to control snails, slugs, pillbugs and sowbugs in the garden.

As used in these three applications, I don't worry about possible toxicity to bees. Why? All three of these are granular formulations applied to the ground and they only affect pests that feed on them. Since the bees generally are not ground-feeding, they are unlikely to make contact with or injest the Spinosad.

I haven't used it in any kind of spray formulation applied to plants (for example, sprayed on tomato plants to control red spider mites), but I would if I felt like that was my best solution for combatting a difficult pest. However, if applying it as a spray, I'd be very careful to apply it at a time of the day when bees are not out foraging.

I'm very cautious and there are very few things I use in the garden...for example, I don't use rotenone or pyrethrum or pyrethroid products. I do use Bt, DE, Nosema locuste, and spinosad. I use barrier products like garlic tea, orange oil and peppermint soap. I rarely use neem oil, but I do use it every now and then. Everyone has to make their own choices and I choose the least toxic products I can find. Once I've made an educated decision to use something, I just don't obsess over it. We have tons of bees and wasps here, so I don't think anything I use is harming them.

Dawn