One trick is to delay importing honey bees until the target crop has begun blooming at about the 10% level. When hives are placed at the crop, bees will find the blossoms and pollinate some or all before they have time to discover competing flowers in the area. Another practice is to spray the crop with honey bee attractants based on synthetic queen mandibular pheromone. Whenever possible, growers should avoid situations of competing bloom – whether from crop plants or weeds. Keep in mind, however, that wild flowers are an important resource for free, native pollinators.
- Keith Delaplane, University of Georgia
Bee Informed Partnership