Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Practice Test

What must be used with special caution near bee hives, since bees may carry them back to the hive and poison the entire colony?

1. 1. Contact insecticides

2. 2. Fumigants

3. 3. Microencapsulated herbicide

4. 4. Systemic insecticides

The correct answer is: 4. Systemic insecticides

Systemic insecticides are designed to be absorbed by plants and can move throughout the entire plant system, including tissues that produce nectar and pollen. When bees visit treated plants, they may unknowingly collect residues of these insecticides and transport them back to their hives. This can pose a significant risk to the entire bee colony, as the chemicals can accumulate and lead to widespread poisoning among the bees. In contrast, contact insecticides primarily act when they directly contact pests and do not become incorporated into the plant system. Fumigants are gaseous pesticides that are usually used in enclosed environments, limiting their environmental impact beyond the targeted area. Microencapsulated herbicides also have a different mode of action, primarily targeting specific types of vegetation rather than insects. Thus, due to the nature of systemic insecticides and their potential to adversely affect bees when they forage, it is crucial to exercise caution when using them near bee hives or flowering plants that attract bees.