Pesticides and PARC

​​​​How to report a suspected pesticide-related bee kill

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) Pesticide Program, responds to all allegations of bee kills or die-offs alleged to be pesticide related. 

Pesticide investigators may 

• Collect physical evidence (such as dead bees or treated vegetation)
  
• Collect and review pesticide application records
  
• Interview beekeepers and pesticide applicators
  

ODA often works with Oregon State University (OSU) and beekeepers to identify whether bee kills or die-offs are pesticide related, or the result of poor nutrition, parasites, disease, or other factors. In certain instances, dead bees collected by ODA investigators are analyzed by the ODA laboratory for pesticide residues. Unless directed by ODA Pesticide Enforcement staff, do not handle or collect dead bees prior to their arrival. Due to sampling protocols and chain of custody processes, ODA may not use lab analysis of bees collected by citizens as a basis for an enforcement action. If you encounter a bee death during the evening or over the weekend, ODA asks that you take photos and document as much detail as you can about the situation you think could be useful to ODA before they arrive on location. ​

During the investigation, ODA uses standard investigative protocol as well as US EPA Guidance on responding to bee-related incidents. The investigative findings are provided to the US EPA on a quarterly basis. The Pesticides Program has created a brochure​ that details the investigation and enforcement process. 

When to contact ODA

Alleged pesticide-related incidents must be reported in a timely manner. This is because pesticide residues break down over time, bee carcasses degrade, crops are harvested, memories fade, or pesticide application information may not be available.​

Pesticide advisories​​ about pollinators

6/1/21

• ​Bees and linden trees​
  

6/13/19

​Oregon law and the use of pesticides on linden trees

ORS 603-057-0388 prohibits the application of four neonicotinoid insecticides. It is prohibited to apply any product containing dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, or clothianidin, regardless of application method, to linden trees, basswood trees or other Tilia species. Failure to comply may result in the revocation, suspension or refusal to issue or renew the license or certification of an applicant, licensee or certificate holder; or a civil penalty. ​​​

Pollinators and pesticide labels

Pollinators are extremely important to Oregon's agricultural community, pollinating many crops. Oregon is proactive in protecting bees and other pollinators and currently requires specific label language prohibiting the use of the neonicotinoid pesticides, dinotefuran and imidacloprid, on linden, basswood and Tilia species trees.

At the federal level, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has required special label restrictions to neonicotinoid pesticides in order to protect pollinators. The active ingredients that will have special label language are as follows:

• Clothianidin
  
• Dinotefuran
  
• Imidacloprid
  
• Thiamethoxam​
  

Brochures

Videos

​​​​Other resources