The Ohio Pesticide Use and Applicator Law and Regulations, as revised effective January 13, 1972, makes certain provisions for the protection of honeybee colonies. But is also puts certain responsibilities on the beekeeper. There are 2 major provisions in the Regulations:
A. "No pesticide which is required to carry a special warning on its label, indicating that it is especially toxic to honeybees, shall be dispensed over an area of one-half acre or more in which the crop plant is in flower unless the owner or caretaker of any registered apiary located within one-half mile of the treatment site shall be notified by the person who applies for himself or engages a pesticide applicator no less than 24 hours in advance of such intended treatment; provided, however, that these locations are registered and identified as required by Section 909.02 of the Revised Code of Ohio, and that such apiary locations have been posted with the name and telephone number of the owner or caretaker."
In simpler language, every beekeeper in Ohio must (1) have all apiaries currently registered with the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry-Apiculture, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068, (2) furnish complete and accurate information on each apiary location; and (3) post apiary indentification number (furnished by the Ohio Department of Agriculture) name and telephone number in a conspicuous place in each apiary.
B. "Applications of pesticides which are hazardous to honeybees shall be made at times when pollinating insects are not actively working in the target area; however, applications of calyx sprays on fruits and other similiar applications may be made."
Again, this simply means-do not spray in bloom
The grower and beekeeper will benefit when each cooperates with the other. Beekeeping is very impractical in a few areas of Ohio due to the frequency of pesticide application made in these areas. Beekeepers usually avoid these areas. If a grower asks a beekeeper to provide pollination services in such locations, he should provide a considerable warning time of several days for the beekeeper to remove the bees from the area. Do not expect beekeepers to move bees with only a few hours notice. This will often cause a major loss of field bees and seriously weaken the colony.
On the other hand, beekeepers should never delay in removing colonies from an area because fruit, vine, seed, and berry growers often have very tight spray schedules and if bees are not out, and 24 hour warning has been given, the grower will be forced to spray anyway.
Cooperation and good communication will solve most problems of this sort.