A soil drench (now) of acephate (Orthene), which is a systemic pesticide, does appear to keep the population under control.

Two things are suggested: apply a systemic pesticide to the pots a week or so before taking them indoors.

Their testing requirements are also not designed to determine effects in bees from exposure to systemic pesticides.

But removing edible peels can also reduce exposure to systemic pesticides inside the fruit or vegetable, which will not disappear with washing.

As a systemic pesticide, imidacloprid translocates or moves easily in the xylem of plants from the soil into the leaves, fruit, pollen, and nectar of a plant.

A systemic pesticide, imidacloprid, commonly used on sucking insects like aphids and fleas, is being tested for effectiveness by the Agriculture Department.

Although she does not usually spray, Mrs. Patterson had the hemlocks sprayed and injected with systemic pesticides to treat the adelgid infestation.

Since clothianidin is a systemic pesticide that is taken up by the plant, there is also potential for long-term effects to bees and other pollinators from clothianidin residue in pollen and nectar.

Particularly the effects of systemic pesticides, which in effect make the whole plant poisonous to pollinators, but I see no discussion or acknowledgement of this in many of the comments.

In addition, the bee population has been declining in certain places at the same time, one cause being the use of systemic neurotoxic pesticides to treat the seeds of certain crops.