When planning pesticide applications near flowering crops, which approach best protects pollinators?

• A. Apply pesticides only at night and use higher-toxicity products around flowering crops.
• B. Schedule applications to avoid bloom, use bee-safe products, and implement buffer zones to protect pollinators.
• C. Use broad-spectrum products that are not bee-safe.
• D. Apply during bloom but with no buffer zones.

Answer: (B)

Protecting pollinators comes down to reducing their exposure to pesticides when crops are flowering. The best approach is to time applications so they occur when crops are not in bloom, choose products labeled as bee-safe or with low toxicity to bees, and establish buffer zones that keep treated areas away from blooming plants pollinators visit. Scheduling away from bloom minimizes bees’ contact with residues in nectar or pollen and with spray drift. Bee-safe products reduce the inherent hazard to bees, and buffer zones physically limit drift and direct exposure as pollinators forage nearby. Conversely, applying at night with higher-toxicity products around flowering crops can still expose bees through residues on flowers or drift, and broad-spectrum or non-bee-safe products harm pollinators. Applying during bloom with no buffer zones leaves pollinators unprotected while they are actively foraging.