Michigan State University Extension announced on Apr. 15 guidance for fruit growers on protecting bees and other pollinators as crops approach bloom. The recommendations address the importance of minimizing pesticide exposure to safeguard these vital insects, which play a key role in crop yields and quality.
Pollinator health is critical for successful fruit production, with both managed honey bee hives and wild bees contributing to pollination. The extension warns that while pesticides are essential for managing pests, they can also pose risks to bees if not used carefully. Insecticides are noted as especially toxic during bloom, but fungicides may also have chronic effects on bee behavior and longevity. Herbicides generally have low toxicity but can harm bees indirectly by removing alternative food sources.
The extension advises growers to avoid spraying pesticides when flowers are open whenever possible. Other recommended practices include using pest scouting and weather tracking to limit unnecessary applications, adopting integrated pest management strategies, applying sprays when bees are not active (such as after sunset or before sunrise), choosing liquid formulations over powders, employing drift reduction techniques, removing flowering weeds from treated areas, and maintaining communication with beekeepers if renting hives.
Resources such as the Minimizing Pesticide Risks to Bees in Fruit Crops guide and the Bee Precaution Pesticide Ratings online tool developed by the University of California are available for further support. Growers can also enroll in a free online course focused on pollinator protection for pesticide applicators. Planting non-crop flowering plants in protected areas is encouraged as another way to promote bee health by providing food and nesting habitat.
Michigan State University Extension Agriculture addresses challenges in food, health, and the environment through education, research, and outreach according to the official website (source). The organization maintains facilities such as greenhouses and horticultural gardens (source), enrolled 3,735 students across its programs in fall 2021 (source), aims to foster a healthy world through its land-grant mission (source), operates major research centers statewide (source), and collaborates with AgBioResearch scientists from eight Michigan State University colleges (source).
This work is supported by grants from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Crop Protection and Pest Management Program as well as funding secured by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
