Will Australian stores’ removal of household neonicotinoid products help bees?

There is no doubt that these pesticides, of the neonicotinoid class, are toxic to honey bees (and possibly other species, too). However, the distribution of the pesticides and the extent to which honey bees are exposed are difficult to assess. Hence we have suspicion, but not proof, of widespread harm. Coming on top of other threats, even a small contribution from the pesticides may be enough to tip the balance in some communities of honey bees.

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Domestic use of such pesticides is on a tiny scale, and any impact from such use would be dwarfed by broad-acre applications in fruit and vegetable producing areas.

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The idea that there would be any gain for the honey bees is probably illusory.