When spraying near bee colonies, who is responsible for keeping the bees away?

In pest control situations involving bee colonies, it is primarily the responsibility of the owners of the bees to ensure the bees are kept away from the area where spraying is to take place. Bee owners are typically knowledgeable about their hives and the behavior of their bees, which enables them to take the necessary precautions to protect their colonies, such as relocating hives temporarily or covering them to minimize exposure to pesticides.

Though the applicator has a duty to follow proper safety protocols when applying pesticides, including considerations related to non-target organisms like bees, the onus of actively managing the bees during a spraying operation lies with the owners. This division of responsibility helps ensure both the effectiveness of the pest control measures being taken and the safety of the bee populations.

Local authorities may be involved in regulating the use of pesticides in areas near hives but do not specifically bear the responsibility for managing the bees during spraying operations.