Protecting Pollinators

Who are Maryland's Pollinators?

Pollinators include any organism that transfers pollen—the genetic material of plants—from one flower to the next.

Butterflies: Over 150 species
Bees: Over 400 species
Other Pollinators: Ants, Beetles, Flies, Moths, Wasps, Hummingbirds

Facts About Pollinators

Half of the world's oils, fibers, and raw materials rely on pollinators.
Pollination services to agricultural crops are valued at $10 billion annually.
Pollinators are responsible for bringing you 1 out of every 3 bites of food you eat.
Pollinators have been steadily declining since the 1950s.
There are over 4,000 species of bees in the U.S.
Managed bee colonies in the U.S. have declined from 6 million in 1950 to 2.5 million today.

Causes of Pollinator Decline

Habitat Loss, Degradation, and Fragmentation
Much pollinator habitat has been lost to agriculture, resource extraction, and urban/suburban development. Habitat degradation is another serious concern. For example, ground-nesting bees require loose soil which can become trampled by heavy foot traffic or off-road vehicles. In cities, ground-nesting bees may be especially limited due to the large amount of landscape that has been covered with concrete and other impervious surfaces.
Non-Native Species and Diseases
Plants or animals brought here from other places can decrease the quality of pollinator habitat. When non-native shrubs like autumn olive and multiflora rose take over open fields, they crowd out the wildflowers needed by certain butterfly and bee species for survival. Introduced parasites, such as the varroa mite, have severely compromised honey bee colonies.
Pollution, Including Pesticides
Air pollution poses serious problems for pollinators that rely on scent trails to find flowers. Light pollution can harm moths by increasing their susceptibility to predation when attracted to artificial lights at night. Pesticide misuse and drift are also major threats to insect pollinators. Systemic insecticides applied to seeds can contaminate the pollen grains that provide an essential food source for bees and their young. Sub-lethal amounts can also be detrimental to pollinators by impeding their ability to navigate or forage.
Climate Change
Studies predict that climate change will alter the close relationship between bees and the plants they depend on for reproduction. Flowering plants migrating north or to higher elevations may not move in sync with their pollinators. The composition of pollinator communities is also expected to change. Recent observations have suggested that bumble bees adapted to cooler temperatures are beginning to decline, while those adapted for warmer temperatures are expanding northwards.

A Note About Declining Honey Bee Health Nationwide

The United States had as many as 6 million colonies in 1947. Today, there are about 2.5 million colonies nationwide. For the last five years, honey bee colonies have been dying at a rate of about 30 percent per year.

Research on overall honey bee health is done at the federal level by several agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This research has been unable to identify a single cause for poor colony health, but consensus is building among scientists that a complex set of stressors and pathogens can result in colony losses. These factors include honey bee disease, pests, poor nutrition, pesticide exposure, and beekeeping management practices.

For a comprehensive discussion on the state of the research into these complex factors, see, Report on the National Stakeholders Conference on Honey Bee Health, National Honey Bee Health Stakeholder Conference Steering Committee (Oct. 2012).

Ways You Can Help Pollinators

Preserve Natural Bee Habitats

Leave field borders, woodlots, ditch banks, stream/pond edges, hedgerows, utility line easements, land around garages and barns, roadsides, wetlands, and south-facing embankments unmanaged. These areas provide spaces where bees can safely nest, raise their young, and overwinter.
Avoid disturbing existing ground nests which resemble ant hills.

Provide Floral and Nectar Resources

Leave weeds like clovers, mustards, dandelion, ox-eye daisy, and yarrow to bloom in areas where they will not compete with crops.
Plant flowering cover crops, which can provide pollen and nectar resources during otherwise fallow periods.
Plant a pollinator garden around your home, or grow native flowers in window boxes and containers in apartment-style living spaces.
Support land conservation in your community.

Protect Bees from Pesticides

Always read and follow all directions on the pesticide product label. Look for the EPA bee hazard icon on pesticide labels.
Look for pollinator language under the "Directions for Use" section of the pesticide label.
Only certified applicators can legally apply neonicotinoid pesticides to landscape plants in Maryland.
Use IPM (Integrated Pest Management) principles to control pests and only spray when necessary.
Spray after sunset when bees have stopped foraging.
Leave unsprayed crop buffers at field margins wherever possible.
Choose sprayer and nozzle configurations designed to reduce drift.
Be aware of potential pesticide applications to nursery-bought flowers.

Resources

For Homeowners, Growers, and Landscape Professionals

Maryland Extention Home & Garden Information Center: What Can I Do to Help Pollinators?
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service: How Gardeners Can Help Pollinators
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge, a national campaign to increase pollinator gardens!
How to Farm for Pollinators - beneficial agricultural practices for pollinators:
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) - NRCS:
NRCS Resources to Help Pollinators

For Beekeepers

Beekeeping Clubs

Beekeeping clubs work to promote the hobby and assist in educating their members and the community about bee culture. Meetings are free and open to the public. Some of these clubs conduct beekeeping short courses, usually starting in February or March each year. These courses provide potential and new beekeepers with the basics for keeping a colony of honey bees. Most are four to six sessions courses are held during the evening and include a hands on session on a Saturday.

Pollinator Protection Plans in Maryland

Maryland Pollinator Protection Plan

The Maryland Pollinator Protection Plan, released in June 2016, is designed to help various bee-loving populations improve and strengthen pollinator health and habitat.

Read the Maryland Pollinator Protection plan - PDF - 872.87 KB.

Background

President Obama directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to engage state agencies in developing Managed Pollinator Protection Plans to mitigate risk to honey bees and other managed pollinators.

2016 Stakeholder Summit

The Maryland Department of Agriculture, the Keystone Policy Center and University of Maryland conducted a Maryland Managed Pollinator Protection Plan Stakeholder Summit - PDF - 1.79 MB in January 2016.

The purpose of the summit was to enable state agencies and key stakeholders to discuss and identify significant opportunities and barriers to promote managed pollinator health, particularly as it relates to sustainable food production. The summit was designed to establish a framework for open communication and collaboration as Maryland develops and implements its plan.

The Summit Report - PDF - 1.79 MB was released in February 2016.
MP3 Public Comments and Responses - PDF - 8.67 MB
Managed Pollinator Protection Plans - Ashley Jones, Maryland Department of Agriculture
Augmenting Both Managed and Native Pollinators - PDF - 3.88 MB - Sam Droege

For comments or information about the Pollinator Plan: (410)-841-5710 [email protected]

Pollinator Plans from State Agencies

Pollinator Protection Act of 2016

The Pollinator Protection Act of 2016 limits the use and sale of neonicotinoid pesticides within the state of Maryland. Neonicotinoid pesticides are defined as pesticides with active ingredients including: Imidacloprid, Nithiazine, Acetamiprid, Clothianidin, Dinotefuran, Thiacloprid, and Thiamethoxam.

This law went into effect on January 1, 2018.

Further information is available: Pollinator Protection Act Facts - PDF - 872.87 KB

Sales Limitations of Neonicotinoid Pesticides in Maryland

Retailers possessing a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) dealer permit may sell neonicotinoid pesticides labeled for outdoor use. Retailers that do not possess a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) dealer permit may only sell neonicotinoid pesticides labeled for indoor use. Sales of neonicotinoid pesticides whose labels are for indoor use only, pet care, and personal care products are exempt from this regulation. Sales records of neonicotinoid pesticides are not required.

Failure to comply with this law may result in civil penalties.

2021 Update

During the 2021 Legislative Session the legislature passed additional measures that firm up some of the language in the original bill. Effective October 1, 2021, a person that sells a Neonicotinoid pesticide may sell a Neonicotinoid pesticide only to a certified Applicator or a Farmer; and shall store each Neonicotinoid pesticide in a manner that is inaccessible to a customer without the assistance from the person or an employee of the person. A copy of the Bill can be found on the Maryland General Assembly’s website at: Additional measures.

For more information concerning the changes contact the Department’s Pesticide Regulation Section at 410-841-5710 or [email protected].

Outdoor Application of Neonicotinoid Pesticides in Maryland

Neonicotinoid pesticides may only be applied by: Applicators who are certified by the Maryland Department of Agriculture or those working under the supervision of a certified applicator; Farmers or those working under the supervision of a farmer; AND Veterinarians.