Marysville, Ohio—Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. said April 12 that its Ortho brand of insect control products for lawn and garden use would immediately begin to transition away from the use of neonicotinoid-based pesticides for outdoor use and announced a new partnership with the Pollinator Stewardship Council to help educate homeowners on the safe and appropriate use of pesticides. Earlier this spring, Ortho expanded its selection of non-neonic based garden solutions. Building on this process, the brand will eliminate the use of neonic active ingredients Imidacloprid, Clothianidin, and Dinotefuran by 2017. “This decision comes after careful consideration regarding the range of possible threats to honey bees and other pollinators,” said Tim Martin, general manager of the Ortho brand. “While agencies in the United States are still evaluating the overall impact of neonics on pollinator populations, it’s time for Ortho to move on. As the category leader, it is our responsibility to provide consumers with effective solutions that they know are safe for their family and the environment when used as directed. We encourage other companies and brands in the consumer pest control category to follow our lead.” Scotts/Ortho has announced a multi-year partnership with the Pollinator Stewardship Council, one of the nation’s leading pollinator advocacy organizations and supporter of more than 550 beekeepers throughout the U.S. Scotts has previously collaborated with the Council to promote pollinator habitat, and the expanded partnership will develop homeowner education related to the responsible use of pesticides where pollinators can be found. In January, Scotts also announced the Pollinator Promise, a program that will result in the creation of 75 pollinator gardens in cities throughout the U.S. this year. The program is part of the company’s GRO1000 Initiative, which has resulted in the creation of 790 community gardens thus far.