Hi all
I found this old publication from 1981 PESTICIDES AND HONEY BEES By L. N. Standifer Revised October 1981. I highlighted some of the key points with CAPS



PESTICIDES AND HONEY BEES By L. N. Standifer Revised October 1981

Honey bees may be killed when crops are treated with pesticides. When this occurs, both the farmer and the beekeeper suffer a loss. FOR THIS REASON, THEY NEED TO COOPERATE FULLY IN PROTECTING THE BEES FROM PESTICIDE DAMAGE.

Observing the precautions recommended in this publication can greatly reduce bee losses from pesticide poisoning.

 Precautions fo the Farmer

• USE BIOLOGICAL OR OTHER NONCHEMICAL CONTROL METHODS IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.

• If chemical control is essential, use the proper dosage of the safest material (on bees) that will give good pest control.

• If you intend to treat the crop, tell the beekeeper what material will be used and when it will be applied.

 However, notification of the beekeeper does not relieve the grower of all responsibility for damage incurred.

• Read the label and follow approved local, State, and Federal recommendations.

• Remember that the time the pesticide is applied, depending on the blooming period and attractiveness of the crop, makes a big difference in the damage to the bees; so, treat the field when the plants are least attractive to bees.

• DO NOT SPRAY OR DUST CHEMICALS OVER COLONIES, ESPECIALLY IN HOT WEATHER WHEN THE BEES CLUSTER OUTSIDE THE HIVE.

• Apply chemicals at night or during early morning hours before bees forage.

• Do not spray or dust bee-visited plants in bloom, and do not let insecticides drift to plants in bloom.

• Remember that treating a nonblooming crop, when weeds and wildflowers are in bloom in the field or close by, can cause bee losses.

• Make as few treatments as possible, because repeated applications greatly increase the damage to colonies.

• Do not treat an entire field or area if local spot treatments will control the harmful pests.

• Sprays do not drift as far as dusts and, consequently, are less likely to harm bees.

• Granules are usually the safest and least likely to harm bees.

• Airplane applications are more hazardous to bees than ground equipment applications.

 Precautions for the Beekeeper

• Identify your colonies. Post your name, address, and telephone number in a conspicuous place in the apiary. In some States, this is required. Let the farmers in the area know where the bees are located so they will not be unknowingly poisoned.

• IF PRACTICABLE, DO NOT PLACE COLONIES NEAR FIELDS THAT ARE ROUTINELY TREATED WITH PESTICIDES.

• Know the pesticides commonly used in your area.

• Be prepared to remove the bees from the area if you are notified that a hazardous material is likely to be applied. 

• If the colonies are likely to be repeatedly exposed to hazardous pesticides listed in group 1, move the colonies to another site. 

Use of Pesticides Pesticide use is governed by a Federal law administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This law requires manufacturers to register pesticides, and makes it ILLEGAL FOR PEOPLE TO USE THEM EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE LABEL. 

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