Kern County Agricultural Commissioner, Ruben J. Arroyo, announced that 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2015 is the date establishing the 10% bloom stage for all citrus South of 7th Standard Road.
This establishes the beginning of a time period when the use of insecticides is greatly restricted in citrus groves to enable bees to work the citrus blossoms and reduce the potential of serious pesticide damage to the bees.
All citrus growers, pest control operators, and beekeepers must comply with the regulations covering the citrus/bee protection areas.