Pesticide-related bee kill investigations in Minnesota

Pesticide products are labeled for many different uses (e.g., crops, turf, ornamentals, animal care, structures). If pesticides do not remain on their target site, it could be due to misuse, which is a violation of the Pesticide Control Law. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is the lead state agency in Minnesota authorized and statutorily responsible to investigate complaints of suspected pesticide misuse. The MDA has investigated over 500 pesticide misuse complaints in the last five years including suspected pesticide-related bee kills. We outline the authority-giving statutes, investigation process, active ingredients involved, and investigation outcomes for pesticide-related bee kills. We discuss how pesticide misuse complaints, particularly bee kills, are a useful monitoring tool to better understand where and when pesticides may have caused adverse environmental or human health impacts. However, this utility depends on complaints being submitted by the public, and states having the authorization and responsibility to thoroughly investigate the misuse.