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Concern over killing honey bees when treating for DANDELIONS is a perennial question this time of year. Debate continues as to the toxicity of growth regulator type herbicides such as 2,4-D and dicamba on honey bees. The careful turf manager can avoid the potential problem by following some common sense guidelines. The most important step is to apply the product in early morning or evening, when temperatures are cooler and the bees are less likely to be flying. Since granules should be applied to wet leaves to maintain longer contact, they should be applied in the morning, while liquids should be applied in the evening, when the leaves are more likely to be dry for faster uptake. The label will also warn to apply either product when the air is still. Treat when the dandelions are in the "puffball" stage instead of flowering, as the product will be translocated down to the root. Since honey bees will not visit dandelions that have gone to seed, they will be protected from the application as well.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 01 May 2008 18:38 )
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BYGL 
