U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Reducing Risks to Pollinators from Pest Control

What is a pest? 2) reduce damage to people’s health, the Did you know? A pest is any plant or animal that: environment, and property; • interferes with site management 3) decrease pest resistance due to In 2010, insect pollinators goals, such as crop production yields repetitive pesticide use; and or native habitat restoration, contributed to nearly 4) decrease pesticide use and reduce $29 billion of crops in • causes damage to a resource, such risk to pollinators, the environment, as gardens, houses, and wildlife and people. the US. Over 75% of all habitats, or flowing plants rely on • jeopardizes human health or safety. What IPM methods and tools can animal pollinators. you use? What is Integrated Pest a) Take no action Management (IPM)? (expect and accept some pest damage) IPM is a science-based, decision-making b) Physical Control process that integrates pest biology, (example: hand remove pests, plants, environmental information, consensus or insects, using garden gloves) building, and technology to prevent unacceptable levels of pest damage. c) Mechanical Control IPM considers site management (example: machine tilling, cutting) goals and strives to minimize risk to d) Cultural Control people, property, and the environment, (plant pest resistant crops, use clean including pollinators. weed- and insect-free mulch, create beneficial insect habitat and water How does IPM benefit people and based on need) Ruby-throated hummingbird collecting pollinators? IPM can: e) Biological Control 1) save time and money using a nectar. Bill Buchanan/USFWS (encourage native predators with a sustainable approach to manage diverse garden habitat) pests. Do not wait for a pest What is a pollinator? outbreak or manage based on the f) Chemical Control Pollinators are animals that help calendar; (pesticides including insecticides, flowering plants reproduce by moving herbicides, fungicides and rodenticides) pollen from the male part of the plant (anther) to the female part (stigma) of the same species. Pollinators include many bees and butterflies, some moths, beetles, flies, and birds and a few bats.

Why are pollinators important? Many plants cannot reproduce without the help of pollinators. The plants they pollinate provide food for humans and wildlife, such as migratory birds. Successful pollination produces seeds and fruits, examples include sunflowers seeds, almonds, blueberries, pumpkins, Physical removal of an invasive plant. Andrea Pickart/USFWS and apples. Pollinators are an integral component of natural ecosystems and Physical removal of invasive European beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria) benefits the native seaside daisy (Erigeron glaucus), which can be pollinated by the native solitary bee agriculture. (Megachile wheeleri). Physical removal of non-native plants may eliminate the potential for herbicide effects to non-target, native plants which then remain a source of nutrition for the bee. Where can you use IPM? encapsulated pesticides that are similar Use IPM to manage pests in yards, in size to pollen and can be collected gardens, golf courses, and natural and by bees and cause poisoning. outdoor community areas as well as 7) Rinse pesticide tanks thoroughly indoors (homes and businesses). between applications to avoid cross- contamination. Dispose rinse water How do you implement IPM? according to label instructions. 1) Describe your pest problem. What 8) Notify beekeepers several days is the pest’s effect on your site or before applying any pesticide that is resource? hazardous to honey bees. 2) Describe your site and its ecology. 3) Know your pests and their natural Where can you find more enemies. Understand the biological information on IPM? and physical conditions (water, food, Contact agencies and organizations shelter, temperature, and light) that such as: support natural enemies, and how to • U.S. Department of Agriculture; make conditions more attractive to • Department of Interior; beneficial insects. Monitoring for pests. John Kucharski/USDA • Local community organizations, such 4) Monitor the pest: How many are • Some pesticides applied to the soil as Master Gardener Programs and there? What is the destruction? How and mulch can travel through the plant Garden Clubs; are they getting to your resource? and may be toxic in nectar and pollen. • Municipal and county governments; 5) Establish “action thresholds.” • Universities, especially those with An action threshold is the level If you use a pesticide, what do you county extension offices. of damage or number of pests at need to do? which a management strategy will 1) Read the product label, pay attention be implemented to reduce the pest to the Environmental Hazards population. section, and chose a product that 6) Decide what methods or tools you indicates low or no toxicity to bees. will use to control the pest. Consider if a soapy, dish-detergent and water solution or vegetable oil, 7) Build consensus with neighbors, such water, and dish-detergent solution as beekeepers, who may be affected might be effective. by your pest management actions. 2) Use buffer zones between areas of 8) Implement the lowest risk, most pesticide application and sensitive effective methods and tools in species and habitats, water, and potential accordance with applicable laws, nectar sources to avoid contamination regulations, and policies. and help protect pollinators. 9) Keep records of your actions, the 3) Use the lowest effective pesticide pest numbers, level of damage, and application rate to control the target pest. Cactus bee (Lithurgus spp.) on flowering evaluate your results. Determine if prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp.). Alicia objectives have been achieved and if 4) Apply pesticides when pollinators King/USFWS not, modify the strategy. are least likely to be present, such as before or after blooming, or in late afternoon and evenings. Integrated Pest Management If you choose to use pesticides, then 4401 N. Fairfax Drive what do you need to consider? CAUTION: before using a pesticide scout for pollinators – some Arlington, VA 22203 Pesticides can kill more than the target pest. 703/358-1831 • Some pesticide residues can kill pollinators, such as Normia bees, pollinators for several days after rest in crop fields overnight and may U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the pesticide is applied. This be harmed by nighttime application http://www.fws.gov/Contaminants/ is especially true for butterfly of pesticides. http://www.fws.gov/pollinators/ caterpillars that eat leaves and 5) Reduce spray drift: use ground leafcutter bees that use leaves to equipment (spot treat or use a hand January 2013 build nests. applicator) instead of aerial spraying; • Pesticides can also kill natural spray under calm conditions. predators, which can lead to greater 6) Use liquid sprays or granules pest problems. instead of dusts; avoid use of micro-