Spraying potatoes

[youngyoungs]

The field of potatoes next door to my apiary has just been sprayed. Should I worry?

 

[blackcavebees]

The field of potatoes next door to my apiary has just been sprayed. Should I worry?

Have a chat with the farmer, explain you keep bees, ask what he has sprayed them with. Build up a relationship and ask when they are spraying again.

 

[oliver90owner]

I would dare to suggest it was likely to be a fungicide at this time of the year, or perhaps a defoliant if they want to lift some earlies. Doubt if there was any insecticide involved as I don't recall too many infestations on spuds, although aphids could be a menace, I suppose?

 

[Dadnlad]

Possibly pre-emptive for potato blight (which if memory serves is copper sulphate based), but the weather seems set to be hot and dry for the next few weeks so not humid blight type conditions

 

[crazy_bull]

I concur with the above, aphids have not been an issue so far on the majority of farms so very likely a fungicide, your bee's would not be actively foraging the potatoes so exposure should be minimal, they may be getting water from the irrigator though, but there is nothing to worry about.