How should you handle a beehive discovered during an application?

• A. Stop application, follow label instructions, contact a licensed beekeeper or DPR; avoid harming pollinators.
• B. Continue spraying, ignore hive.
• C. Knock down the hive to remove it.
• D. Remove the hive with bare hands.

Answer: (A)

When you discover a beehive during an application, the priority is to protect pollinators and yourself by stopping the work and following the label’s directions. Pesticide labels often require that you cease application if bees or a hive are present and specify steps for safe handling or relocation. Contacting a licensed beekeeper or the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) ensures the hive is removed or relocated safely without harming the bees or exposing people to stinging. This approach also aligns with regulatory and environmental protections for pollinators, which are important for crop yields and ecosystem health. Harming or disturbing the hive yourself—such as spraying near it, knocking it down, or removing it with bare hands—can be dangerous, illegal, and disrupts essential pollinator services.