Pollinator Protection IV-1
Protection of Pollinators
- Do not apply insecticides to crops where pollinators might be expected unless pests have exceeded recommended action thresholds.
- Consider alternative control measures (e.g. early cutting in the case of alfalfa weevil).
- If an insecticide treatment is absolutely necessary, make applications during early morning or late evening hours when bees are least likely to be foraging.
- Avoid treating fields in which crop and/or weeds are in bloom.
- If a crop in bloom (especially alfalfa) is to be treated, notify local beekeepers so their bees can be moved or confined before the application.
- Read, understand and follow all label instructions concerning bee safety.
- Use insecticides that are relatively safe for bees (see table).
Further Reading on Protection of Pollinators
Baxendale, F. & D. L. Keith. 1993. Avoiding Honey Bee Losses When Using Insecticides. NebGuide G93-1174-A, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension.
Johansen, C. A. & D. F. Mayer. 1990. Pollinator Protection: A Bee & Pesticide Handbook. Wicwas Press, Cheshire, CT.
Mayer, D. F., C.A. Johansen, & C. R. Baird. 1996. How to Reduce Bee Poisoning from Pesticides. Western Region Extension Publication 15, Washington State University.
| Product
| Relative hazard to honey bees1
| Product
| Relative hazard to honey bees1
|
| (Active ingredient)
|
| (Active ingredient)
|
|
| permethrin
| VH
| malathion
| H
|
| Asana (esfenvalerate)
| VH
| malathion ULV
| VH
|
| cyfluthrin
| VH
| oxydemeton methyl
| M
|
| Bacillus thuringiensis
| L
| Methyl parathion
| VH
|
| bifenthrin
| VH (>0.06 lb/A)
| Monitor (methamidaphos)
| VH
|
| Comite (propargite)
| L
| Orthene (acephate)
| VH
|
| Counter (terbufos)
| (soil granule)
| Penncap M (methyl parathion)
| VH
|
| dimethoate
| VH
| Diazinon
| VH
|
| Dibrom (naled)
| H
| Sevin (carbaryl)
Sevin XLR+
| VH
VH (>1.5 lb/A)
|
| Supracide (methidathion)
| VH
| Temik (aldicarb)
| (soil granule)
|
| Furadan (carbofuran)
| VH
| Thimet (phorate)
| (soil granule)
|
| azinphosmethyl
| VH
| endosulfan
| H
|
| Lannate (methomyl)
| VH
| Vydate (oxamyl)
| H
|
| chlorpyrifos
| VH
| Warrior (lambda‑cyhalothrin)
| VH
|
| 1Based on Mayer, D. F., C.A. Johansen, & C. R. Baird. 1996. How to Reduce Bee Poisoning from Pesticides. Western Region Extension Publication 15, Washington State University. (Published bee safety information for many registered insecticides is not available.)
|
| VH = Do not apply to blooming crops or weeds; H = Apply only during late evening; M = Apply only during late evening, night or early morning; L = Can be applied at any time with reasonable safety to bees.
|
|
