Thanks for reaching out. There are two factors that affect a pesticide's risk: toxicity and exposure.

To understand the pesticide's known toxicity to bees, you can read the pesticide's label and look it up on the University of California IPM Bee Precaution Ratings.

To reduce the pesticide's exposure to bees, you can consider applying systemic insecticides after the plant is in bloom, since systemic pesticides can get into a plant's nectar and pollen. For the topical sprays, you can consider using products that have a short residual period (fewer than 8 hours0 and applying them at night after bees are done flying for the day. You should avoid letting the pesticide drift onto anywhere bees or other beneficial insects visit, including flowering plants and water sources.

Good luck with your new nuc!

On Sunday, May 19, 2024, 7:41 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: