Most flowering plants need pollination to reproduce and grow fruit. While some plants are pollinated by wind, many require assistance from insects, such as bees and butterflies, and animals, such as hummingbirds. In the absence of pollinators, many plant species, including the fruits and vegetables we eat, would fail to survive. Therefore, protecting bees and other pollinators is important to the sustainability of agriculture. The University of Maryland Extension provides information on the basics of pollinators.
Because pesticides are designed to control pests, their use can potentially impact non-target species. Therefore, pesticide applicators, including those on golf courses, need to be mindful of the impact that pesticides have on pollinator species and their habitat.
