Oregon temporary restriction use of dinotefuran insecticide

In response to the massive bee die-offs in Wilsonville and Hillsboro last week, the Oregon Department of Agriculture has issued a temporary restriction on the use of insecticides with the active ingredient dinotefuran.

State officials confirmed Safari, an dinotefuran insecticide, is responsible for the deaths of an estimated 50,000 bumblebees and insects in a Wilsonville shopping center, where trees were sprayed on June 20.

"We're not trying to get it off the shelves, or trying to tell people to dispose of it, we're just telling people not to use it," said Bruce Pokarney, a spokesperson for the department of agriculture.

The ban affects 18 products, most of which are used for ornamental purposes, and will be enforced for 180 days. It only affects those products that might potentially affect pollinators, like bumblebees. Safari is one of the products banned by this statute.

Dinotefuran is also used in flea collars and ant and roach control. These products are not affected.

The department of agriculture will reassess the temporary ban after officials finish their investigation into the pesticide applications in Wilsonville and Hillsboro. These inquiries could take up to four months.