Pesticide active ingredients harmful to bees
Our Bad for Bees section provides a current reference list of pesticide active ingredients known to be hazardous to honey bees. Each category includes a breakdown of the potential human health effects identified for certain active ingredients.
The classifications used are internationally recognised and applied by relevant authorities and organisations in the field. They are not opinions or classifications developed by The Bee Effect. Unless otherwise specified as environmental toxicity, the effects listed refer to human health.
Acaricides
Abamectin
Also an insecticide. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Acrinathrin
An acaricide.
Aldicarb
Also an insecticide and nematicide. WHO Ia : ‘Extremely hazardous’ (Class Ia) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Azinphos-ethyl
Also an insecticide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard
Azinphos-methyl
Also a insecticide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Bifenthrin
Also an insecticide. EU EDC (1) or C2 & R2 GHS.
Carbofuran
Also a nematicid. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Chlorfenapyr
Also an insecticide.
Chlorpyrifos
Also an insecticide.
Chlorpyrifos-methyl
Also an insecticide.
Cypermethrin
Also an insecticide.
Demeton-S-methyl
Also an insecticide.WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Diafenthiuron
Also an insecticide.
Diazinon
Also an insecticide. IARC prob carc.
Dichlorvos; DDVP
Also an insecticide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Dicrotophos
Also an insecticide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Dimethoate
Also an insecticide.
EPN
Also an insecticide. WHO Ia : ‘Extremely hazardous’ (Class Ia) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Fenazaquin
Fenitrothion
Also an insecticide. EU EDC (1) or C2 & R2 GHS.
Fenpropathrin
Also an insecticide. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Fenvalerate
Also an insecticide.
Formetanate
Also an insecticide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Malathion
Also an insecticide. IARC prob carc.
Methamidophos
Also an insecticide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Methidathion
Also an insecticide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Mevinphos
Also an insecticide. WHO Ia : ‘Extremely hazardous’ (Class Ia) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Monocrotophos
Also an insecticide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Naled
Also an insecticide.
Omethoate
Also an insecticide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. EU EDC (1) or C2 & R2 GHS.
Oxydemeton-methyl
Also an insecticide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Parathion
Also an insecticide. WHO Ia : ‘Extremely hazardous’ (Class Ia) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Phosphamidon
Also an insecticide. WHO Ia : ‘Extremely hazardous’ (Class Ia) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Pyraclofos
Pyridaben
Also an insecticide.
Pyridaphenthion
Also an insecticide.
Thiometon
Ursinia nana. S. Africa. Small yellow flowered weed of disturbed veld. Annual or semi-perennial that has outbreak years. Ants freely collect the seeds.
Pollen and nectar source.
Vamidothion
Also an insecticide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Algicides
Quinoclamine
This is also a herbicide.
Fungicides
Climbazole
Fungicide.
Ethirimol
Fungicide.
Pyrazophos
Fungicide.
Validamycin
Fungicide.
Herbicides
Bensulide
Herbicide.
Quinoclamine
Also an algicide.
Insecticides
Abamectin
H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Acephate
Insecticide.
Alanycarb
Insecticide.
Aldicarb
Also acaricide and nematicide. WHO Ia : ‘Extremely hazardous’ (Class Ia) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Aluminum phosphide
Also a rodenticide. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Azamethiphos
Insecticide.
Azinphos-ethyl
Also an acaricide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Azinphos-methyl
Also a acaricide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Bendiocarb
Insecticide.
Benfuracarb
Also a nematicide.
Beta-cyfluthrin; Cyfluthrin
WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Bifenthrin
Also an acaricide. EU EDC (1) or C2 & R2 GHS.
Bioresmethrin
An insecticide.
Butocarboxim
An insecticide.
Cadusafos
Also a nematicide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. Environmental toxicity: Very persistant in water, soil or sediment/Very toxic to aq. organism
Very persistent’ half-life > 60 days in marine- or freshwater or half-life > 180 days in soil (‘typical’ half-life), marine or freshwater sediment) (Indicators and thresholds according to the Stockholm Convention).
Carbaryl
Also a Plant Growth Regulator. Long term toxic effects – EPA prob likely carc. EU EDC (1) or C2 & R2 GHS.
Carbofuran
Also an nematicid and acaricide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Carbosulfan
Also a nematicide. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Chlorethoxyphos
WHO Ia : ‘Extremely hazardous’ (Class Ia) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Chlorfenapyr
Also an acaricide.
Chlorfenvinphos
WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Chlorpyrifos
Also an acaricide.
Chlorpyrifos-methyl
Also an acaricide.
Clothianidin
An insecticide.
Cyhalothrin
An insecticide.
Cyhalothrin, gamma
An insecticide.
Cypermethrin
Is also an acaricide.
Cypermethrin, alpha
An insecticide.
Cypermethrin, beta
An insecticide.
Deltamethrin
EU EDC (1) or C2 & R2 GHS.
Demeton-S-methyl
Also an acaricide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Diafenthiuron
Also an acaricide.
Diazinon
Also an acaricide. IARC prob carc.
Dichlorvos; DDVP
Also an acaricide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Dicrotophos
Also an acaricide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Dimethoate
Also an acaricide.
Dinotefuran
An insecticide.
Emamectin benzoate
Very persistent in water, soil or sediment. Very toxic to aq. organism.
EPN
Also an acaricide. WHO Ia : ‘Extremely hazardous’ (Class Ia) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Esfenvalerate
An insecticide.
Etofenprox; Ethofenprox
Very persistent in water, soil or sediment. Very toxic to aq. organism.
Fenitrothion
Also an acaricide. EU EDC (1) or C2 & R2 GHS.
Fenoxycarb
EPA prob likely carc.
Fenpropathrin
Also an acaricide. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Fenthion / Fenthion > 640g/L
An insecticide.
Fenvalerate
Also an acaricide.
Fipronil
An insecticide.
Flucythrinate
WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Flupyradifurone
An insecticide.
Formetanate
Also an acaricide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Heptenophos
WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Hexaflumuron
An insecticide.
Imidacloprid
An insecticide.
Imiprothrin
An insecticide.
Indoxacarb
An insecticide.
Isoxathion
WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Lambda-cyhalothrin
H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS). EU EDC (1) or C2 & R2 GHS.
Lindane
Also a rodenticide. EU EDC (1) or C2 & R2 GHS.
Malathion
Also a acaricide. IARC prob carc.
Metaflumizone
Environmentally toxic: Very bioaccumulative’ (BCF >5000) or Kow logP > 5 (existing BCF data supersede Kow log P data) (Indicators and thresholds according to the Stockholm Convention). Very pers water, soil or sediment: Very persistent’ half-life > 60 days in marine- or freshwater or half-life > 180 days in soil (‘typical’ half-life), marine or freshwater sediment) (Indicators and thresholds according to the Stockholm Convention).
Methamidophos
Also an acaricide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Methidathion
Also an acaricide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Methiocarb
Also a molluscicide and Repellant. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Methomyl
WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Mevinphos
Also an acaricide. WHO Ia : ‘Extremely hazardous’ (Class Ia) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Monocrotophos
Also an acaricide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Naled
Also an acaricide.
Nitenpyram
An insecticide.
Omethoate
Also an acaricide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. EU EDC (1) or C2 & R2 GHS.
Oxamyl
Also a nematicide. WHO Ib: ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Oxydemeton-methyl
Also an acaricide. WHO Ib: ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Parathion
Also an acaricide. WHO Ia : ‘Extremely hazardous’ (Class Ia) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Permethrin
EPA prob likely carc.
Phenthoate
An insecticide.
Phorate
WHO Ia : ‘Extremely hazardous’ (Class Ia) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard
Phosmet
An insecticide.
Phosphamidon
Also an acaricide. WHO Ia : ‘Extremely hazardous’ (Class Ia) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Pirimiphos-methyl
An insecticide.
Prallethrin
An insecticide.
Profenofos
An insecticide.
Propoxur
EPA prob likely carc.
Pyridaben
Also an acaricide.
Pyridaphenthion
Also an acaricide.
Quinalphos
An insecticide.
Resmethrin
EPA prob likely carc. EU EDC (1) or C2 & R2 GHS.
Rotenone
An insecticide.
Silafluofen
EU GHS repro (1A ,1B).
Spinetoram
An insecticide.
Spinosad
An insecticide.
Sulfoxaflor
An insecticide.
Tefluthrin
WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Temephos
An insecticide.
Tetrachlorvinphos
EPA prob likely carc.
Tetramethrin
An insecticide.
Thiamethoxam
An insecticide.
Thiodicarb
EPA prob likely carc.
Thiofanox
WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Thiometon
Also an acaricide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Tralomethrin
An insecticide.
Trichlorfon
EU EDC (1) or C2 & R2 GHS.
Vamidothion
Also an acaricide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
XMC
An insecticide.
zeta-Cypermethrin
WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Molluscicides
Molluscicide
This is also a repellent.
Nematicides
Aldicarb
Also an insecticide and an Acaricide. WHO Ia : ‘Extremely hazardous’ (Class Ia) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Benfuracarb
Also an insecticide.
Cadusafos
Also an insecticide.
WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. Environmental toxicity: Very persistant in water, soil or sediment/Very toxic to aq. organism
Very persistent’ half-life > 60 days in marine- or freshwater or half-life > 180 days in soil (‘typical’ half-life), marine or freshwater sediment) (Indicators and thresholds according to the Stockholm Convention).
Carbofuran
Also an insecticide and Acaricide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Carbosulfan
Also an insecticide. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Fenamiphos
WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Fosthiazate
A nematicide.
Oxamyl
Also an insecticide. WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Rodenticides
Aluminum phosphide
Also an insecticide. H330 : ‘Fatal if inhaled’ (H330) according to the EU or the Japan Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Lindane
Also an insecticide. EU EDC (1) or C2 & R2 GHS.
Repellants
Methiocarb
WHO Ib : ‘Highly hazardous’ (Class Ib) according to WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard.
Plant Growth Regulator
Carbaryl
This is too an insecticide. Long term toxic effects – EPA prob likely carc. EU EDC (1) or C2 & R2 GHS.