There has been a lot of concern about honeybee health related to fungicide and insecticide applications within orchards. More is being learned every year about the impacts of pest management practices on hive health. Recently, The Almond Board of California released an excellent resource titled “Honey Bee Best Management Practices for California Almonds.” This resource provides an overview of the research conducted and the recommendations generated from the results and conclusions.
The following is a brief overview of these practices that are associated with insect and disease control around bloom:
- Read the pesticide label carefully – including surfactants – and avoid any chemicals that indicate toxicity to bees.
- Avoid applying or tank mixing any insecticides during bloom until the effects on bees are known. Treatments for peach twig borer should be considered prior to bee move-in or after hive removal (i.e. delayed dormant, “May” spray);
- Avoid the fungicides iprodione, captan, or ziram. These fungicides negatively impact bee hive health;
- Apply fungicides later in the afternoon or evening when bees and pollen are less present. It is also important to also not spray too late that the fungicide does not have a chance to dry before the next foraging day;
- Addition of adjuvants is not needed unless specified by the fungicide label. These compounds may harm bees by increasing fungicide activity;
- Cover or remove the bees’ water source and avoid spraying the hive directly with any pesticides.
- More information can be found at The Almond Board of California.
Keep in mind that these spray practices are independent of good bee hive care, which includes provision of water in during dry bloom periods, sources of pollen.nectar in bee holding areas, and of course, good communication with your beekeeper.
Andre Tolmachoff
February 5, 2015Can Round-Up and Treevix herbicide sprays harm bees? The Almonds are not blooming yet. I noticed bees searching for water or pollen near the weeds.
David Doll
February 5, 2015Andre,
I don’t think there has been any research on that – at least a quick scan of the literature does not yield any findings that suggest it will be a problem. My guess is that it would have minimal effect since these products are herbicides and I dont think they would interfere with the pathways of development within the bees. Although a bee is small, the amount of material applied is also not that great – 1 oz/acre for treevix, 2 qt for round-up (maybe higher) with this material applied over a large area (11′ swath).
If I find anything else about this subject, I will let you know.
David
Andre Tolmachoff
February 5, 2015In prior years we would spray Rovral (iprodione) but only at night. Is there a alternative product we can use that is safer for bees?
Obviously we need to consider FRAC groups, efficacy, effectiveness, and cost.
David Doll
February 5, 2015Andre,
Yes, there are a lot of products available. Please check out the “Fungicide Efficacy and Timing for Tree Fruits…” that is published annually by the University of California. It can be found here: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PDF/PMG/fungicideefficacytiming.pdf
Perhaps consider a FRAC 9 (Scala or Vanguard) for that first bloom spray to save the stronger fungicides for petal fall or sprays for other foliar disease.
David
João Courinha
February 16, 2015Hi guys, anyone knows if Bacillus Thurigensis sprayed for PTB poses a threat for bees?
David Doll
February 17, 2015Yes, Bt can be used to control PTB at bloom. It is still listed as a bloom time treatment at ucipm.ucdavis.edu. Earlier work has shown that it is not toxic to adult or developing honey bees.
David
2016 Almond Bloom Considerations - The Almond Doctor
February 15, 2016[…] Be careful with bees. Do not tank mix in any insecticides for PTB besides Bt. Pesticides applied at this time do not control Navel Orangeworm. Do what is possible to reduce pollinator exposure to pesticides. More on this topic can be found here. […]
Onur
December 31, 2019Hello,
Do you think bumblebees have a positive impact on pollination of almond trees?
I use honeybees, but next year I am thinking of using both.
Thanks
Onur
David Doll
January 29, 2020Onur,
Supplementing with bumble bees probably will help pollination. Work with blue orchard bees within CA found that the increased competition increased foraging by the European honey bees. They weren’t a suitable alternative by themselves. I would expect something similar to occur with co-deployment of honey and bumble bees.
David