Do not apply hazardous pesticides if winds will cause drift into areas where beehives or mason bee nests are located. Minimize drift onto non-crop flowers such as ground cover or weeds, where bees may be foraging. Prevent contamination of water sources used by bees. Chose plants that will bloom during periods when crop plants are not in flower to avoid drawing pollinators away from your main crop. Diversionary plantings help ensure that bees have enough to eat throughout the year and also increase the numbers of natural enemies of crop pests.
Emulsifiable concentrates have less residual toxicity to bees than wettable powders.
Sprays are less harmful than dust formulations of pesticides. Bait formulations of pesticides, may be hazardous to bees if prepared with material such as apple pomace. For more information on protecting bees from pesticides see chapter 20 of the Handbook for Pesticide Applicators and Dispensers available from Crown Publications or contact the number below.