Rules of Thumb
For Cotton and Bee Foraging

   Ill-founded assumptions are often made about bee forage on cotton, by folks who know little about the topic. Here are some assumptions you can safely make.

1. Bees will NOT forage cotton prior to bloom, so any pest control that can be obtained is an advantage gained.
2. Bees will not forage blooming cotton at night.
3. Bees will not forage blooming cotton when the temperature is over 95F.
4. Bees will forage blooming cotton prior to sunrise and until late morning, in hot weather.(90+) You may see recommendations for spraying "early" in the morning. These may apply on other crops, in other regions of the country, but it is a recommendation of misuse on cotton. Applications of insecticide in the early to mid-morning are almost certainly a violation. The only reliable gauge of the finish time is monitoring.
5. Bees may continue to forage blooming cotton into the afternoon in cool weather. (70's & 80's) The only reliable gauge is monitoring.
6. Nectar production and maximum foraging on blooming cotton occur in clear weather. A heavy overcast will reduce, but may or may not stop foraging. The only reliable gauge is monitoring.

   You, the applicator are responsible for bee protection through compliance with label directions. You will see some pre-FIFRA recommendations that tell you to call beekeepers and make them protect the bees. Since 1972, label directions are the law, yet such recommendations continue to be made. Anyone who tells you, or implies to you, that you can avoid compliance with the label by contacting beekeepers, is making a recommendation of misuse.

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