For the protection of pollinating insects: use bee-friendly technology when spraying

Even during flowering, there may be a plant protection situation that requires immediate intervention. However, one must take into account pollinating insects, whose protection is not only a legal obligation but also our own well-understood interest.

Our fruit trees bloom: almonds and apricots have already bloomed, but others are just beginning to break their petals. In order for fruit to be a crop, most of our fruits need pollinating insects, whose health we are responsible for.

The protection of pollinating insects is not only a legal obligation but also our own well-understood interest.

OUR INTEREST IS TO PROTECT POLLINATING INSECTS

Bees collect nectar from flowers, from which honey is made for the benefit of the beekeeper and for the pleasure of consumers. The collected pollen is an important source of protein in the life and nutrition of the bees. Everybody wins in this coexistence, but only if we follow each other in keeping with the rules.

Even during flowering, there may be a plant protection situation that requires immediate intervention. However, one must take into account pollinating insects (including wildlife) whose protection is not only a legal obligation but also our own well-understood interest.

By complying with plant protection legislation and standards for the protection of bees, the risk of pesticide treatment to pollinators can be minimized. Let's see these guidelines:

1. THE USE OF SUBSTANCES THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY DANGEROUS TO BEES IS PROHIBITED.

It is forbidden to use pesticides that are especially dangerous or risky for bees in areas visited by bees! These areas include not only the flourishing cultivated plants, but all that the bees visit for some reason. In the latter cases, for example, the presence of flowering weeds or marginal plants, the appearance of honeydew selected by aphids, or even when the table is in the path of the bees.

2. MODERATELY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES MAY BE USED IN THE EVENING

Pesticides that are moderately dangerous to bees can be applied with the so-called bee-keeping technology. In the common language, it has been called 'evening spraying' or 'night spraying' . The exact wording: after the end of the daily flight of the bees, the spraying is completed at least one hour before the astronomical sunset and until 23:00. give a permission. 

3. PRODUCTS THAT ARE NOT LABELED FOR BEES MAY BE USED FREELY

Producers may carry out treatment with non-labeled preparations without restriction.

4. IN THE CASE OF "MIXTURES" IT IS RECOMMENDED TO USE EVENING SPRAYING

Nowadays, in the case of application of pesticides in combination, the issue of combined effect is becoming more common. The combined effect of two or more formulations may not add up. The phenomenon of synergism (a mutually reinforcing effect) is known, where one drug significantly increases the effect of the other. Such synergistic effects are, for example, the acetamiprid and tebuconazole active substances not individually labeled for the bees, or the active substances thiacloprid and tebuconazole. Though they are not dangerous to bees separately, however, in the case of application in tank mixes, bee-keeping technology ("evening spraying") must be observed.

DO YOU HAVE TO REPORT TO THE CLERK?

There is also often a question of the obligation to report to a notary public. Generally speaking, the reporting obligation has been abolished, because the risky technology behind it has now been removed from practice.

Legislation on plant protection activities has previously provided that, if treatment with a plant protection product that is particularly dangerous to bees is unavoidable in an area visited by bees, it must be reported to the local notary until 9:00 on the previous working day. The clerk could then notify the beekeepers registered with him who had closed their bees to the hives for the duration of the treatment and the subsequent period, or even migrated from the area. However, on the basis of the indications from the beekeepers, it is not always possible to close the bees, which would be particularly harmful (for example, summer heat).

At the same time, the supply of plant protection products has also changed significantly: on the one hand, due to the manufacturers' perception, and on the other hand, the constant tightening of their legislation. As a result, plant protection products are available in virtually every crop that can trigger the use of products that are particularly risky or dangerous for bees.

For these two reasons, it has been decided to completely abolish the application of bee-safe technology on the basis of a notification. However, it is important that not only has the reporting obligation ceased, but, more importantly, the risky technology behind it has been introduced.

The cooperation and partnership of beekeepers and growers, as well as plant protection experts, is a key to the peaceful and, literally, fruitful coexistence of the two professions.