Insect Control in vegetable crops during bloom

Healthy bee populations are an essential element to many vegetable operations. Honey bees provide pollination services or they may enter other fields looking for an alternate source of pollen or water. As honey bees forage over a wide area, on average 2 miles from the hive location, many honey bee colonies may be impacted by the use of pesticides.

In a perfect world, all spraying would stop when vegetable crops come into bloom. Unfortunately, most insect pests do not stop feeding just because there are blossoms in the field.

Many insecticide labels have specific wording pertaining to applications during bloom. Most insecticides are grouped into three categories; do not use on flowering crops or weeds, do not apply to flowering crops or weeds if bees are visiting the treated area, and avoid spraying when bees are foraging. Always consult the product label before applying any crop protection product. Remember the label is the law.

Do not use during crop or weed flowering period: Lorsban 15G, Lorsban 50W, Movento, Nufos, Pyrinex, Pyrifos

Do not apply to flowering crops or weeds if bees are visiting the treated area: Actara, Admire, Alias, Assail, Concept, Cygon, Delegate, Diazinon, Entrust, Grapple, Imidan, Lagon, Lannate, Lorsban 4E, Malathion, Matador, Orthene, Silencer, Success, Thiodan/Thionex

Avoid spraying when bees are foraging: Ambush, Decis, Dibrom, Lorsban 4E, Monitor, Pounce, Perm-Up, Rimon, Ripcord, Sevin XLR Plus, UP-Cyde

Best Management Practices to Prevent Bee Poisoning

• Apply insecticides after 8 pm when the bees are not foraging. A second option is apply before 7 am. However, due to the residual activity of most insecticides early morning is much less effective at minimizing honey bee poisoning than evening spraying.
• Do not allow insecticides to drift onto flowering crops or potential bee habitat, this can include nearby flowering plants.
• Wherever possible, select the least toxic insecticide and/or formulation for the job. Consult Table 11-3. Relative Toxicity of Pesticides to Honeybees in Publication 360, OMAFRA Fruit Production Recommendations.

• WP formulations are more toxic than EC formulations.
• Consider advising local beekeepers of insecticide applications so that they may take additional precautions to protect the bees. Contact the Provincial Apiarist at 1-888-466-2372 x 63595 or the local Apiary Inspector for information on beekeepers in your area.