If bee colonies are within two miles of the area to be sprayed, what should you do?

If bee colonies are within two miles of the area to be sprayed, what should you do?

• A. Spray after dark only
• B. Contact the beekeepers 48 hours in advance so the colonies can be moved
• C. Ignore them and proceed
• D. Move the colonies yourself immediately

Answer: (B)

When pollinators are nearby, protecting bees during pesticide applications is the priority. If a bee colony is within two miles of the spraying area, it’s essential to give beekeepers advance notice so they can move the colonies or take other protective steps before spraying begins. The 48-hour lead time provides enough time for beekeepers to relocate hives to a safe location, plan for any necessary changes in timing, and coordinate with you to minimize exposure and drift. Spraying after dark isn’t a guaranteed safeguard because bees can still be nearby or foragers may return to the area, and some products have residual effects. Ignoring the hives is unsafe, and moving the colonies yourself isn’t appropriate without the beekeeper’s involvement. Coordinating with the beekeeper to relocate or protect the colonies is the responsible and effective approach.

When pollinators are nearby, protecting bees during pesticide applications is the priority. If a bee colony is within two miles of the spraying area, it’s essential to give beekeepers advance notice so they can move the colonies or take other protective steps before spraying begins. The 48-hour lead time provides enough time for beekeepers to relocate hives to a safe location, plan for any necessary changes in timing, and coordinate with you to minimize exposure and drift.

Spraying after dark isn’t a guaranteed safeguard because bees can still be nearby or foragers may return to the area, and some products have residual effects. Ignoring the hives is unsafe, and moving the colonies yourself isn’t appropriate without the beekeeper’s involvement. Coordinating with the beekeeper to relocate or protect the colonies is the responsible and effective approach.