Ortho to Phase Out Chemical That Harms Bees

The Ortho pest control company will phase out use of a pesticide linked to declining bee populations, a problem that has threatened U.S. agricultural productivity, the company said Tuesday.

The company will eliminate neonicotinoid pesticides, known as neonics for short, in three product lines by 2017, with others to follow.

Recent research has shown that bees and other pollinators face a number of threats that have contributed to their declining population in North America.