FieldCheck: A tool to protect pesticide-sensitive crops and beehives from spray drift

By Larry VanLieshout, MDA Research Scientist, Tana Haugen-Brown, Sally Raymond, and Jolene Warnke, UMN Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education Extension educators

Figure 1. FieldWatch map.

Protecting your neighbors’ crops and beehives from pesticide drift starts with knowing where they are located. FieldCheck, from FieldWatch® Inc., is a voluntary online program designed to help pesticide applicators view potentially sensitive crops and beehives in their area so they can take extra precautions when making pesticide applications. To reduce potential offsite injury due to pesticide drift, follow all label requirements. In addition, scout the surrounding area and check the FieldWatch Map (Figure 1) prior to application to see if there are pesticide sensitive sites in the area.

Zoom in on areas of interest to see the field borders (Figure 2). Selecting a pin on the FieldWatch map brings up additional crop or apiary information and contact information for that producer (Figure 3). For example, the entry will specify if the field is conventionally grown, certified organic, or “organically grown.” “Organically grown” indicates that the crop is grown without synthetic pesticides but is not certified organic.

Figure 2. Sample Field Watch Farm map.

Figure 3. Sample FieldWatch map site information

Insecticide drift to beehives and flowering plants that are attractive to foraging bees can harm honey bees. If an insecticide treatment is needed, it is important to provide advanced notification of the intended application to beekeepers with hives within 2-3 miles of the area to be sprayed. Minnesota does not specify a requirement to notify beekeepers; however, some other states do. Generally, it is recommended to notify beekeepers at least 48 hours prior to application with a bee-toxic pesticide. This allows them time to move, cover, or screen their hives, if desired. Applicators can obtain beekeeper contact information from FieldWatch. Other application precautions to protect bees include spraying in the morning or evening when bees are not actively foraging and avoiding treatment of blooming crops and weeds that attract bees.

Although there is a public FieldWatch map online, applicators should still register for FieldCheck. Beekeepers can choose not to have their hives displayed on the public map if theft or vandalism is a concern. However, registered applicators are shown the locations of all the enrolled beehives. In addition, applicators can mark their area of operation and receive free email notices if new sites are added. Applicators can also add other sensitive sites that they observe to their map. These sites are only visible to the applicator who added them and are not shared with others.

Figure 4. FieldCheck mobile app.

A free FieldCheck mobile app is available so that applicators can access the FieldWatch map from their phone (Figure 4).

The FieldWatch programs are free, voluntary, and non-regulatory. Additional information, instructions, and videos about using this service are available at www.mda.state.mn.us/fieldwatch.

For more information, please contact: Larry VanLieshout, Larry.VanLieshout@state.mn.us, 651-201-6115.