Remember that treating a non- 

 blooming crop, when weeds and 

 wild flowers are in bloom in the 

 field or close by, can cause bee 

 losses. 



Make as few as possible treat- 

 ments because repeated ap- 

 plications 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 con- 

 spicuous place in the apiary. In 

 some States, this is required. 

 Let the farmers in the area 

 know where the bees are lo- 

 cated so they will not be 

 unknowingly poisoned. 



• If practicable, do not place col- 

 onies 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. 

 Pesticides are grouped accord- 

 ing to their relative hazards to 

 bees on pages 5 and 6. 



Trade names are used in this publication 

 solely for the purpose of providing specific 

 information. Mention cf a trade name does 

 not constitute a guarantee or warranty of 

 the product by the U.S. Department of 

 Agriculture or an endorsement by the 

 Department over other products not men- 

 tioned. 



You can protect small numbers 

 of colonies from pesticides by 

 covering them with wet burlap 

 for a day or more. Cover col- 

 onies at night when all the bees 

 are in the hives, and keep the 

 burlap wet throughout the time 

 of confinement. This is not 

 practical where repeated ap- 

 plications of pesticides are 

 made or where large numbers of 

 colonies are involved. 

 If the colonies are likely to be 

 repeatedly exposed to 

 pesticides listed in group 1 on 

 page 5, move the colonies to 

 another site. 



If the colonies must be moved, 

 move them at night when all 

 the bees are in the hive. 

 Learn as much as you can about 

 the value of pollinating insects 

 to crops as well as to 

 wildflowers, ornamentals, and 

 forests. Pass this information 

 along to the farmers and others 

 in your area. In this way, they 

 learn about the value of bees as 

 pollinators and will be en- 

 couraged to protect your bees. 



