Pesticide Use

Pesticides are bug-killing chemicals that some people use on their lawn and garden to keep pesky insects away. Even though I am a beneficial insect, pesticides can kill me too. In fact, there are so many bee kills from pesticides each year that I am afraid that my family will completely disappear. In the United States, my honeybee friends have lost at least 20% of their population from pesticide poisonings.

The yearly cost of pesticide damage is approximately $320-million (US). This stems from a decrease in pollination rates and therefore, poor crop quality and quantity.

When pesticides are sprayed, they contaminate flower blossoms, nectar, pollen, soil, and water. Since a mother bee needs all of these things to lay her eggs and build nests, she could be in continuous contact with harmful chemicals. If she doesn't die right away, she will pass the toxins on to her offspring through their food and nests.

If pests are a threat to your lawn or garden, try using natural, organic methods of control. Did you know that soaking a bulb of garlic in a bottle of water for two weeks will make a spray for your plants that repels aphids? It's true!, and this is only one of many safe alternatives to using chemical pesticides.

Using Pesticides Responsibly

If you do use pesticides, be sure to follow these precautionary measures:

How to Apply

Always use the least toxic pesticides and make sure to follow instructions on label carefully for application methods. Use the lowest recommended dosage.
Apply pesticides only to plants requiring treatment, not as a routine or a broadcast measure.
Broadcast applications of pesticides kill off beneficial insects as well as the pests, which can lead to more serious pest problems later on.
Do not spray crops in bloom. Do not spray when weeds are in bloom, or remove them before treatment.
Pay special attention to remove weeds that attract bees once the treatment has been made such as aster, dandelion, mustard, sweet clover, milkweed and goldenrod.

Type of Application

Sprays are generally less harmful to bees than powders and dusts. Granular methods are usually the safest method of treatment. Any aerial application of a pesticide posses a potential threat as bees may come in direct contact with toxins in the air or toxins that have drifted to non-target plants such as flowering weeds.

Although these modification and application techniques can reduce bee loss up to 50%, any loss is detrimental to bee populations.

Timing of Application

Do not apply chemicals during hours when bees are collecting nectar and pollen. Generally, bees forage between dawn and dusk. The best time to apply chemicals is in the evening after bees have left for the day. Evening applications provide the longest possible time for the spray to dry and for the active ingredient to start breaking down. However, heavy dew the next morning can make the chemical more likely to stick to bees. Use preventative measures early in the season when insecticides may be more effective and crops are not blooming.

Learn More

There are a variety of sources for learning about organic gardening techniques that can help you create a healthy garden ecosystem that is pollinator friendly. Integrated pest management (IPM), a method of managing rather than controlling pest populations, is one well known way to create pollinator friendly gardens. For more information on IPM techniques, consult the Ministry of Environment's Integrated Pest Management Manual for Home and Garden Pests in BC