Protecting Pollinators While Controlling Pests

Effective pest management and pollinator conservation are not mutually exclusive goals. With careful planning and implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) principles, it is possible to control pests while protecting and supporting pollinator populations. This balance is crucial, as pollinators provide essential ecosystem services worth billions of dollars annually to U.S. agriculture, while pest management is necessary to protect crops, landscapes, and human health. This article provides strategies for achieving both objectives simultaneously.

Understanding the Conflict

Pesticides, especially insecticides, can harm pollinators through:

• Direct Contact: Pesticides applied to flowers or during pollinator activity can kill bees, butterflies, and other pollinators directly.
• Residue Exposure: Pollinators can be exposed to pesticide residues on flowers, leaves, or in nectar and pollen, even days or weeks after application.
• Systemic Pesticides: Systemic insecticides (like neonicotinoids) are absorbed by plants and can be present in nectar and pollen, exposing pollinators long after application.
• Habitat Loss: Overuse of pesticides can reduce flowering plant diversity and eliminate food sources for pollinators.

IPM Strategies That Protect Pollinators

Integrated pest management minimizes pollinator impacts:

• Prevention First: Focus on preventing pest problems through proper plant selection, cultural practices, and maintaining healthy, diverse ecosystems that support natural pest control.
• Monitoring and Thresholds: Only treat when pest populations exceed action thresholds, avoiding unnecessary pesticide applications.
• Biological Control: Support and use beneficial insects (predators, parasitoids) that control pests without harming pollinators.
• Non-Chemical Methods: Use physical barriers, traps, hand removal, and other non-chemical methods when possible.

Safe Pesticide Use Practices

When pesticides are necessary, protect pollinators:

• Avoid Flowering Plants: Never apply pesticides to plants in bloom. If treatment is necessary, remove flowers first or wait until after bloom.
• Timing: Apply pesticides early in the morning or late in the evening when pollinators are least active. Avoid applications during peak pollinator activity (midday).
• Selective Products: Choose pesticides that are selective for target pests and less toxic to bees. Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides during pollinator season.
• Avoid Systemic Pesticides: Avoid systemic insecticides (neonicotinoids) on plants that will flower, as they can contaminate nectar and pollen.
• Targeted Application: Apply only to affected areas, avoiding drift to flowering plants or pollinator habitat.
• Read Labels: Follow label instructions regarding pollinator protection, including warnings about application timing and restrictions.

Creating Pollinator-Safe Zones

Design landscapes that support both pest management and pollinators:

• Diverse Plantings: Maintain diverse flowering plants that provide continuous nectar and pollen sources throughout the growing season, supporting pollinator populations.
• Refuge Areas: Maintain untreated areas (hedgerows, wildflower strips) that serve as refuges for pollinators and beneficial insects.
• Nesting Habitat: Provide nesting sites for native bees (bare ground, dead wood, bee hotels) away from areas where pesticides are applied.
• Buffer Zones: Maintain pesticide-free buffer zones around pollinator habitat and flowering plants.

Protecting pollinators while controlling pests is achievable through careful implementation of IPM principles, selective pesticide use, and landscape design that supports both objectives. By prioritizing prevention, using pesticides judiciously, and creating pollinator-friendly habitats, we can maintain effective pest management while preserving the essential ecosystem services provided by pollinators.