Pollination services boost agricultural crop values by billions of dollars each year across the United States. These services provide many different fruits, vegetables and nuts that contribute to our food systems (USDA 2022). Growers and beekeepers can work together through effective communication on agreements, planning and practices to make informed decisions that protect crops and support pollinator health.
Communication
The best way to ensure the protection of honeybees in areas where pesticides are used is to ensure effective communication among beekeepers and growers.
- Verify beekeeper registration and discuss pollination agreements with beekeepers.
- Define the communication chain, timing, and delivery method for information regarding pesticide applications, including product labels, particularly in/around bloom, when bees and other non-target pollinators are likely to be exposed while foraging.
Agreements
When allowing or inviting beekeepers to place hives for honey production or contracted pollination services, it is highly recommended that you develop a written agreement with the beekeeper detailing the responsibilities and liabilities of each party. The agreement should include provisions that address:
- The best means to quickly contact one another if urgent issues arise;
- Where hives will be placed so that they will not interfere with grove or field management and will be less likely to be exposed to pesticides;
- How hives and bee yards will be marked by the beekeeper as required by law and to include any contact information requested by the grower;
- The quantity and strength/size of hives;
- Hive maintenance, including supplemental feeding and in-hive pesticide use (for the control of honey bee pests and diseases);
- The duration of stay for the hives (identify a window during bloom when pesticide exposure is least likely; see
Determining Percent Bloom in Florida Citrus Groves
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); - Identification of temporary holding areas, if available, where hives may be relocated during pesticide applications; and
- Circumstances pertaining to liability of grower or beekeeper.
This list is not exhaustive; consult the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Sample Pollination Agreement for more detailed information.
Planning
- Consult with your county extension specialist (crop advisor) or other Integrated Pest Management (IPM) professional for help identifying species of crop pests, their abundance and life cycle. A crop- and season-specific approach to pest management may reduce the overall need for chemical pesticide applications.
- Make pesticide applications only when pest pressures warrant it (i.e., action thresholds).
- Develop a pest management plan that carefully considers the likelihood of bees foraging during bloom, that only sprays before abundant bloom and after last petal fall, when bees typically move (or are moved) off (away from) the target crop.
Practices
- Implement an Integrated Pest Management Plan. Always reevaluate and take steps to improve IPM plans.
- Consult with UF/IFAS extension experts if there are questions as to interpretation of pollinator protection provisions on labels. Find a UF/IFAS Extension office near you.
- During bloom, if label allows, make pesticide applications after sunset to ensure no direct exposure of bees during foraging and to allow time for spray to dry.
- Choose products with a residual toxicity of less than eight hours.
References