Turf Tips >>>
Protect Bees When Applying Neonicotinoid Insecticides By David Han, Ph.D., Auburn University
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eonicotinoid insecticides include popular turfgrass and ornamental products such as imidacloprid (Merit), clothianidin
(Aloft, Arena), thiamethoxam (Meridian) and dinotefuran (Zylam). Due to concerns about the potential exposure of pollinators, especially bees, to these
products, their labels now include a “Bee Box,” with recommendations on how to limit bees’ exposure. In turf, the easiest way to minimize bees’ exposure is to mow the grass immediately before applying neonicitinoid insecticides. Bees are often unintentionally exposed to insecticides by foraging in flowers that have been sprayed. Removing any flowers present in the turf (from weeds like white clover, for example) by mowing ensures that bees will not be drawn to a just-sprayed turf area. Of course, great care must also be taken to prevent drift on any insecticide sprays from the grass to ornamentals, especially ones that are flowering. For more information, see the article “Reducing the Hazards of Turfgrass Insecticides to Bees” by Dr. David Held and Murphey Coy in the Winter 2014 issue of Alabama Turf Times and the EPA’s website at http://www2.epa.gov/ pollinator-protection. v
Gardening in the South iBook Now Available from Alabama Extension
Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Spr ing 2015
The
Alabama Cooperative Extension System is in the process of publishing a comprehensive set of iBooks — the Gardening in the South series. The first three volumes are now available: Getting Started, Pest Management and Landscaping. The Landscaping volume includes several chapters on selecting and maintaining turfgrasses for lawns and landscapes, while the Pest Management volume contains information on weeds, insects and dis-
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eases in the garden, lawn and landscape. Gardening in the South contains links to other Extension resources and includes videos, animations and other enhancements. Check out this excellent reference resource on the iTunes Store or at https://itunes.apple.com/us/ book/gardening-in-south-getting/id9 25369027?mt=11. Gardening in the South is viewable on an iPad with iBooks 3 or later and iOS 5.1 or later, or a Mac with iBooks 1.0 or later and OS X 10.9 or later. v