Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1099801
12 BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR PEST CONTROL DURING BLOOM Follow these precautions to help protect honey bees from pesticide applications: Read labels carefully and follow directions. Do not use pesticides with cautions on the label that read "highly toxic to bees," "toxic to bees," "residual times" or "extended residual toxicity." Residual toxicity to bees varies significantly between pesticides and pesticide products, and their impact can last anywhere from hours to a week, or more. Avoid applying insecticides — except Bt — during bloom until more is known about their potential risk to bees. If treatment is necessary, only apply fungicides and avoid tank-mixing insecticides with fungicides (unless mixing with Bt). Apply fungicides in the late afternoon or evening, when bees and pollen are not present, as bees collecting pollen often leave the almond blossoms by mid-afternoon. This later application will help avoid contaminating pollen with spray materials. However, do not spray so late that the fungicide does not have time to dry before bees begin foraging the next day. See the sections "Evaluating the Pollination Process" and "Removing Honey Bees from the Orchard" for guidelines on how to determine whether exposed pollen is present in flowers. Adjuvants should not be used with fungicides during bloom, unless stated otherwise on the label. Most fungicides are formulated with adjuvants including wetting agents, spreaders and stickers. Cover or remove water sources before spraying or supply clean water for bees after a treatment is made. Do not directly spray hives with any pesticide. Ensure that the spray-rig driver turns off nozzles when near hives. Do not hit flying bees with spray applications. Bees that come in contact with agricultural sprays will not be able to fly because of the weight of spray droplets on their wings. Be sure to avoid pesticide application or spray drift to blooming weeds in or adjacent to the orchard when honey bees are present. Before bloom, avoid applying a pesticide with a long residual (extended residual toxicity or systemic pesticides). More information on residue toxicity is available in "EPA Information on Residue Toxicity Times for Growers and Beekeepers," which is located at Almonds.com/BeeBMPs. Remember to keep all parties informed of agricultural sprays according to the communication chain agreed upon so that beekeepers are always aware of impending applications and applicators are fully informed of the parameters regarding materials, timing, location and method of application.