Press release provided by the Kern County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office
Kern County Agricultural Commissioner, Glenn Fankhauser, announces that 12:01 a.m. Sunday, March 29, 2026, is the date establishing 75% petal fall on the North side of citrus trees for all citrus groves south of 7th Standard Road. This announcement serves as a signal to the bee industry that the use of pesticides toxic to honeybees may be made to citrus 48 hours or more after March 29, 2026, without advanced notification to the beekeeper. Although this announcement of petal fall lifts the restrictions of applications to citrus groves with materials toxic to honeybees, Mr. Fankhauser advises pesticide applicators desiring to make applications with bloom present to either apply pesticides toxic to honeybees when they are inactive, and/or to notify beekeepers 48 hours in advance. This will allow the citrus growers to apply the necessary pesticides needed to protect their crop from insect pests while facilitating pollinator protection.
A petal fall declaration does not supplant pesticide product labeling. All applicators are reminded that they must always read and follow the pesticide product labeling regarding specific use restrictions relating to pollinator protection and toxicity to bees…