In order to protect the environment, outdoor agriculture has to keep a close eye on practices that might damage soil, contaminate the water table or hurt wildlife. While cannabis farmers specifically don’t need the aid of pollinators to make the best product, there is no reason ganja farms should contribute to the decline in bee populations.
The service bees and other pollinators provide is necessary for the reproduction of over 85 percent of the world’s flowering plants. Always avoid pesticides that hurt nature’s beloved bees!
Currently the class of pesticides called neonicotinoids is at the center of hot debate. Temporarily banned by the European Union, research shows these chemicals pose a “high acute risk” to bees, can reduce bee colony growth and can cause colony collapse disorder.
To keep your gardens organic and pollinator-friendly, stay clear of the neonicotinoids imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam. Preferably use organic insecticides but keep in mind that even some of these can still harm bees. For further information regarding organic pesticides that are pollinator-friendly, check out this resource by the The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
