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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