Spring has officially sprung, which means you can officially start gardening again! However, it is extremely important that you make sure the plants in your garden are safe to our pollinator friends. Check the labels before purchasing any flowers or plants and do NOT purchase them if it says they have been treated with Neonicotinoids. This class of pesticide is highly toxic to bees. In fact, the three main neonicotinoids (clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam) were banned in Europe for all outdoor uses. Because neonicotinoids are systemic chemicals that are absorbed into the plant, these pesticides can be present in the pollen and the nectar that the bees feed on. The long-lasting…