We need plants. Plants need bees.
Careful with Pesticides!
Almonds
Apples
Avocados
Cherries
Olives
Sunflowers
Beans
Citrus
Pomegranates
Why
are Bees and
Other Pollinators
Important
to Us?
Pollinators include bees,
butterflies, moths, birds,
bats, beetles and other
insects that move pollen
within flowers, or carry it
from flower to flower.
About 1/3 of the food
you eat such as almonds,
berries and many other
fruits and vegetables
depend on pollinators.
What is
Happening
to Bees?
Honey bee colonies have
been lost at unprecedented
rates in recent years.
The decline in honey bee
health is a difficult problem
with multiple contributing
factors including: loss of
habitat, parasites and disease,
genetics, poor nutrition
and pesticide exposure.
Loss of
Habitat
Pesticide
Exposure
Genetics
Parasites
Disease
Poor Nutrition
Pesticides known to be
particularly harmful to bees
have special labels on them.
To protect bees, it is
important to read and
follow label instructions
when you use pesticides
in your garden.
*
Extra Careful
Some pesticides are highly toxic to bees. Overuse and misuse of pesticides can be bad for pollinators. Think about when and where pesticides may be applied
without harming pollinators. For example, do not apply to blooming flowers, or at any time you see pollinators in an area.
Tips for protecting bees when pesticide use is necessary:
r\ r
Do not apply pesticides when bees are likely to be flying.
Bees generally are inactive from one hour after sunset to two hours
before sunrise or when the temperature is below 55 F.
Early evening application is best so pesticides can dry during the night.
To minimize drift, do not apply pesticides on a windy day.
Do not apply
If needed, okay to apply apply
Step 1: Identify the problem
Knowing the problem is the first
step towards solving it.
Step 2: Try to solve the
problem without pesticides
Pests can often be managed safely
without use of pesticides: Explore
the University of California statewide
Integrated Pest Management Program:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/index.html
Step 3: Find the product
that solves the problem
All products do not work on every pest.
Labels tell how and when products should be
applied to deal with certain types of pests.
How
You Can Help
When Managing
Pests in Your
Garden
Step 4: Buy and use the right amount;
more is not necessarily better
Product labels tell how much to use to treat a
problem. Using more can harm plants and
lawns, and may be unsafe for people and pets.
Some products might not work as well after
being stored for a long period. A larger size
might not be a good value.
Step 5: Use the product
according to the label
Labels tell how to safely use products for
best results. Use only the amount indicated.
If the label tells you to mix a product in
another container, make only as much as
you can use. Do not ever apply more
than is allowed by the label.
Step 6: Pay attention to warnings
affecting bees and other pollinators
Understand when and how to apply
the product to ensure pollinator safety.
Use pollinator-friendly plants in
your garden. Different flower
colors, shapes and scents will
attract a wide variety of
pollinators. If you have
limited space, you can plant
flowers in containers on a patio,
balcony and even window boxes.
Plant
Pollinator-Friendly
Flowers
Reduce or eliminate pesticide
use on your pollinator-friendly
garden. Incorporate plants that
attract beneficial insects for pest
control. If you use pesticides,
follow the directions to be sure
you use the pesticide safely.
Find more information about pollinators at EPA's Pollinator Protection web page:
http://www2.epa.gov/pollinator-protection
Report Bee Kills
To report a large bee kill, please contact the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at:
beekill(S)epa.gov
EPA-909-R-14-002
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
October 2015
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