Oregon Pesticide Practice Test

How would you help protect bees from pesticide injury?

1. Apply insecticides in the morning

2. Apply insecticides in the evening or at night

3. Use high volumes of water for dilution

4. Only apply when bees are absent

The correct answer is: Apply insecticides in the evening or at night

Applying insecticides in the evening or at night is an effective strategy for protecting bees from pesticide injury. Bees are generally most active during the daytime when they are foraging for nectar and pollen. By timing pesticide applications for later in the day when bees are less active or have already returned to their hives, the likelihood of exposure is minimized. This practice helps to ensure that the insecticides target the intended pests while reducing the risk of harming beneficial pollinators like bees. In contrast, applying insecticides in the morning could coincide with the peak activity period of foraging bees, increasing their risk of exposure to the chemicals. Using high volumes of water for dilution can be beneficial for some applications, but it doesn't specifically address the timing of pesticide application or the potential for bee exposure. Only applying when bees are absent may be impractical, as it can be difficult to determine when all bees are gone, given their varying activity patterns and the unpredictability of their foraging behavior. Overall, the evening or night application is a proactive measure for safeguarding bee populations.