Organic farms can be an important asset in protecting pollinators and other insects beneficial to agriculture, such as predators and parasitoids of crop pests. Unfortunately, however, pesticides allowed for use in organic agriculture can cause harm to bees and beneficial insects.

While pest management programs should incorporate cultural, mechanical and other practices to prevent and manage pests, sometimes pesticides are the strategy of choice. There are many considerations when choosing between different pesticide options, including efficacy, specificity, cost, and risks to human health and the environment. This fact sheet is intended to be a quick reference to help you select and use organically-approved pesticides with the least impact on bees and other beneficial insects.

This fact sheet is an overview of a larger set of guidelines, Organic Pesticides: Minimizing Risks to Pollinators and Beneficial Insects.