Unlike previously used pesticides, such as DDT, neonicotinoids are doing less damage to the environment while still enabling more crop growth than without the use of any pesticides. Seeds in their early stages of sprouting can be treated directly  with the chemical to ensure that a specific plant is protected against insects and other pests. So rather than spraying the plants after they have already grown, the chemical grows systemically within the plant and distributed through its tissues (Rempel). This greatly decreases the pesticide’s exposure to humans and other non-target organisms, including honeybees (Seminis). The systemic process also helps the plant to defend itself against pests in its early growth period, as well as protecting the root of the plant where pesticide sprays cannot reach.

(Diagram from Seminis).

Neonicotinoids also contribute to a large portion of the United States’ economy. It is estimated that growers, specifically of corn and soybeans, are paying around $12 to $13 per acre on average for their fields to be treated with the pesticide. This means that the current usage of the chemical for crop production is ranking in more than $4 billion annually for the United States economy (Untold Benefits). In addition, the United States cannot afford the loss of crop yields that would be expected if farmers could not use pesticides. Therefore, if neonicotinoids were to be banned, farmers would be forced to use an alternative pesticide in order to meet the necessary amount of produce annually. Unfortunately, most alternatives must be sprayed on the plants’ leaves because they are not hydrophilic like neonicotinoids are (TAMU Site). This is both a more expensive endeavor – thus decreasing the net revenue from crop sales – and becomes more threatening to non-target organisms again.

(Table from EPA pdf).

The use of neonicotinoids prevents crops from being ruined by various insects, thus allowing crop yield to be higher than it would be without the pesticide (Crop Life America). If neonicotinoids were banned, the overall operating cost to grow crops per acre would increase, causing sales prices to increase as well while producing a smaller amount of crop output (The Benefits of Pesticides to Mankind and the Environment). In a typical economy, when prices increase the demand for the product decreases. Inversely, when prices drop the desire to consume increases at a higher rate, thus stimulating the economy through produce purchases as well.

(Diagram from The Benefits of Pesticides to Mankind and the Environment).