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Tips for the usage of bumblebees

Bumblebees ensure effective pollination within a crop. When making use of bumblebees you are dealing with a living product. This requires a different work method. It is important to check the quality before use and to follow the instructions, you should store the product in a different way and it is recommended to protect yourself against bumblebees when releasing. That is why we provide a number of tips regarding the usage of bumblebees.
Usage bumblebees
Kevin van Kester
Specialist Quality Controller | January 30, 2021 | 2 min. reading time

Quality control

Always make use of materials of an acknowledged producer or distributor who guarantees quality, but before release, also always check the quality of the material yourself. For this purpose, there is useful quality control protocol available. When you identify deviations, always report your complaint within 24 hours, to make adequate response possible. 

Read the manual

Always read the manual and follow the user instruction carefully. Our product specialists can also advise you from their own experience, about the best application methods to get a maximum return.  

Storage of bumblebees

Try to use the material as soon as possible (within 18 hours) to get the maximum return. Storage is always at the expense of the quality. If storage is inevitable, make sure that you keep the product in horizontal position (to avoid leaking of sugar water), in the dark and at temperatures from 15 – 22°C. Also ensure good ventilation of the storage facility to prevent too high CO2-concentrations. 

Improve the functioning of bumblebees by creating conditions in the crop that they can flourish in. Our product specialists will be able to advise you. 
See the video above on how to feed bumblebees.  

Personal protection

In general, bumblebees rarely sting, but if they do, this can cause a considerable shooting of pain or sometimes even a (severe) allergic reaction. To prevent being stung by a bumblebee, for example when you release bumblebee hives or feed bumblebees, it is advisable to wear protective clothing. For example, wear a helmet with beekeeper net or an beekeeper pullover and special gloves.

Tips for using pesticides and bumblebees 

Pesticides and bumblebees don't always coexist harmoniously in agricultural practices. Chemical crop protection products can have detrimental effects on the bumblebee population, sometimes resulting in their complete elimination. It's essential to understand the impact of chemical crop protection on the crop's biology.

When dealing with pesticides, various types are in play. Some are non-selective, acting as indiscriminate pest eliminators, while others are selective, focusing solely on pests without harming bumblebees. When circumstances demand the use of pesticides alongside biological controls, consider the following:
  • Prioritize selective pesticides to minimize adverse effects on bumblebees whenever possible.
  • In cases where selective pesticides aren't feasible, opt for selective application methods such as pouring or dripping, along with crop protection products that have a short after-effect. Our crop protection specialists can provide expert guidance.
  • When initiating chemical crop protection, temporarily relocate bumblebee hives to a controlled environment at 18 - 20 degrees Celsius for a maximum of 2 - 3 days. Extended absence from the crop can result in a pollen shortage, negatively impacting the bumblebee colony.
  • Always assess how long a pesticide remains harmful to the crop's biology before its application. Many pesticides can continue to affect bumblebees for a prolonged period after use, and this information is typically provided on the label. In cases where the label lacks such information, the side effects remain unknown.

To gain insights into the side effects of a pesticide, it's crucial to consult the label of the chemical crop protection product. Alternatively, you can easily access this information through the Agrobío Effects app, available on Android. The app allows users to search by active ingredient, trade name, crop, or product type, providing a comprehensive overview of the product's potential side effects for informed decision-making.
Contact form
Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Kevin van Kester will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.

Tips for the usage of bumblebees

Bumblebees ensure effective pollination within a crop. When making use of bumblebees you are dealing with a living product. This requires a different work method. It is important to check the quality before use and to follow the instructions, you should store the product in a different way and it is recommended to protect yourself against bumblebees when releasing. That is why we provide a number of tips regarding the usage of bumblebees.
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Kevin van Kester
Kevin van Kester
Specialist Quality Controller | January 30, 2021 | 2 min. reading time
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Usage bumblebees
Topics in this article

Quality control

Always make use of materials of an acknowledged producer or distributor who guarantees quality, but before release, also always check the quality of the material yourself. For this purpose, there is useful quality control protocol available. When you identify deviations, always report your complaint within 24 hours, to make adequate response possible.

Read the manual

Always read the manual and follow the user instruction carefully. Our product specialists can also advise you from their own experience, about the best application methods to get a maximum return.  

Storage of bumblebees

Try to use the material as soon as possible (within 18 hours) to get the maximum return. Storage is always at the expense of the quality. If storage is inevitable, make sure that you keep the product in horizontal position (to avoid leaking of sugar water), in the dark and at temperatures from 15 – 22°C. Also ensure good ventilation of the storage facility to prevent too high CO2-concentrations. 

Improve the functioning of bumblebees by creating conditions in the crop that they can flourish in. Our product specialists will be able to advise you. 
See the video above on how to feed bumblebees.  

Personal protection

In general, bumblebees rarely sting, but if they do, this can cause a considerable shooting of pain or sometimes even a (severe) allergic reaction. To prevent being stung by a bumblebee, for example when you release bumblebee hives or feed bumblebees, it is advisable to wear protective clothing. For example, wear a helmet with beekeeper net or an beekeeper pullover and special gloves.

Tips for using pesticides and bumblebees

Pesticides and bumblebees don't always coexist harmoniously in agricultural practices. Chemical crop protection products can have detrimental effects on the bumblebee population, sometimes resulting in their complete elimination. It's essential to understand the impact of chemical crop protection on the crop's biology.

When dealing with pesticides, various types are in play. Some are non-selective, acting as indiscriminate pest eliminators, while others are selective, focusing solely on pests without harming bumblebees. When circumstances demand the use of pesticides alongside biological controls, consider the following:
Prioritize selective pesticides to minimize adverse effects on bumblebees whenever possible.
  • In cases where selective pesticides aren't feasible, opt for selective application methods such as pouring or dripping, along with crop protection products that have a short after-effect. Our crop protection specialists can provide expert guidance.
  • When initiating chemical crop protection, temporarily relocate bumblebee hives to a controlled environment at 18 - 20 degrees Celsius for a maximum of 2 - 3 days. Extended absence from the crop can result in a pollen shortage, negatively impacting the bumblebee colony.
  • Always assess how long a pesticide remains harmful to the crop's biology before its application. Many pesticides can continue to affect bumblebees for a prolonged period after use, and this information is typically provided on the label. In cases where the label lacks such information, the side effects remain unknown.

To gain insights into the side effects of a pesticide, it's crucial to consult the label of the chemical crop protection product. Alternatively, you can easily access this information through the Agrobío Effects app, available on Android. The app allows users to search by active ingredient, trade name, crop, or product type, providing a comprehensive overview of the product's potential side effects for informed decision-making.

Contact form
Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Kevin van Kester will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.
Kevin van Kester
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