This document printed from the University
of Illinois Extension From the Fields at http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/hmw/
Protecting Nontarget Organisms During Pesticide Application
February 15, 2007
Jim Morrison
Extension Educator, Crop Systems
Rockford Center 417 Ware Ave, Suite #102
Rockford, IL 61107-6412
Phone: 815-397-7714
FAX: 815-397-8620 morrison@uiuc.edu
The importance of protecting nontarget organisms during a pesticide application is one topic that is mentioned during the Pesticide Safety Education Program training sessions. Bees (honey or wild) are one example of such organisms.
The importance of bees in pollinating plants is well known. The application of a pesticide directly to blooming plants or allowing a pesticide to drift onto blooming plants can be fatal to bees. This column reviews guidelines to help protect bees and how to know if there is a potential for bees to be near the application site.
Here are three ways to prevent inadvertent injury to bees from pesticides.
If bees are near the application site, use a pesticide with low toxicity to bees. Generally, granules are safer to bees than sprays. Emulsifiable concentrates are less toxic to bees than wettable powders. Microencapsulated insecticides are toxic to bees and can be especially hazardous since bees can carry them back to their hive and kill the entire colony.
If a pesticide has to be used that is toxic to bees for an application near bees, try to make the application when bees are least active. Before dawn, after dusk, and when air temperatures are less than 55 degrees F are times when bee activity is lower.
Lastly, notify beekeepers 48 hours prior to pesticide application. This will allow beekeepers to take appropriate measures to protect their bees. Notify beekeepers within three miles of the application site since that is the distance bees can fly.
How does one know if beekeepers are nearby? The Illinois Bees and Apiaries Act requires beekeepers to register their hive(s) with the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Illinois Bees and Apiaries Program. This program maintains a list of beekeepers and locations of colonies in Illinois. There is no charge for the registration. Further information is available at this web site: http://www.agr.state.il.us/programs/bees/index.html
Pesticide applicators can use this list of bee colonies to determine if any hives are near the intended application site. This list of colonies can be obtained by calling the Illinois Bees and Apiaries Program at 217-782-6297 or by contacting your local University of Illinois Extension office. Extension offices annually receive the list of registered beehives.
If you are a pesticide applicator, know where nearby bee colonies are located prior to making a pesticide application.
Column is based on information in the Illinois Pesticide Review newsletter, January 2007, written by University of Illinois Extension specialists.
