If you were going to spray an area and there are bee colonies within two miles what should you do?

• A. Contact the beekeeper 48 hrs in advance so the colonies can be moved
• B. Spray at noon
• C. Use no protective equipment
• D. Ignore and spray

Answer: (D)

The main idea is protecting pollinators and following the label when bees could be affected by a spray. When bee colonies are within a couple miles, the best step is to contact the beekeeper ahead of time so the colonies can be moved or the application can be rescheduled. Arranging relocation gives bees a safe path away from the treated area, reducing exposure and potential harm, and it aligns with typical pesticide labeling that requires minimizing contact with pollinators.

Spraying at noon isn’t good because bees are most active then and will encounter more of the pesticide, increasing the risk to the colonies. Using no protective equipment doesn’t address the risk to the bees and the environment, and ignoring the situation ignores safety and regulatory requirements. So, coordinating with the beekeeper well in advance to move the colonies is the appropriate action.