What is a recommended practice to protect bees from pesticide injury?

The recommended practice of applying insecticides in the evening or at night helps to protect bees from pesticide injury for several reasons. During these times, bees are generally less active. Bees typically forage for food in the daytime, and by applying pesticides outside of their active hours, the likelihood of direct contact between the bees and the pesticides is significantly reduced. This timing also minimizes the chances of bees being exposed to pesticide drift, which can occur if applied during peak foraging hours.

In addition, applying pesticides in the evening or at night helps to ensure that residual pesticide levels on plants have more time to dissipate before bees become active again the following day. This practice is crucial for preserving the health of pollinator populations, which play an essential role in many ecosystems and agricultural systems.

Other options may not provide the same level of protection. For instance, applying insecticides early in the morning may still coincide with some bee foraging activities, potentially exposing them to the chemicals. Avoiding application when plants are in bloom is a good practice but may not always be feasible if pest control is urgently needed. Relying solely on systemic insecticides also raises concerns, as these can be taken up by the plants and potentially affect bees and other beneficial insects even when they