Will imidacloprid harm the surrounding environment or the humans applying the chemical?
Studies have shown no impact of imidacloprid on organisms other than insects and zoooplankton. Only collembolas (aka springtails) showed impact, and populations rebounded within a year. The human impact is expected to be extremely low since the chemical is marketed under a caution label, no different from soap or oil, with the simple precautions of keeping it out of eyes and washing hands after use. Imidacloprid is diluted in a jug, so people do not come in contact with it unless they buy two ounce bottles, in which case there is a slight danger of inhaling a bit of the chemical. How deep should imidacloprid be applied in the soil? The chemical should be released just under the loose litter layer, where the A and O soil horizons come together and where roots are present. Using a soil injector, the injector is dropped on the soil and when it faces resistance, the chemical is released. Is there a danger of exotic trees taking over the niche left open by hemlocks? In remote areas, exotic
