Stuart E Grant wrote:
>
> All,
>
> Whatcom County Management has, at the instigation of the local voters
> association, recently decided to go back to the use of this herbicide on
> roadsides. The area(Point Roberts) has been exempt from roadside spraying
> for the past few years as it was considered an ecologically sensitive
> area but the Public Works folks seem to be inclined to respond quickly to
> this call for help.
>
> The spraying is being scheduled for June and I wonder if anyone has info
> on Roundups effect on Apis m. foragers or, possibly,  time-of-day
> restrictions we can insist on?
>
> Any help appreciated.
>
> ...Stuart
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> ...Stuart Grant,(49degrees N; 123 degrees, 20 min W; elevation 20m;
> Strait of Georgia 2k; rural urban combination  in temperate rainforest
> setting)
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Farmers in the area where I keep bees use Roundup frequently.  They use
it to kill
weeds in fields in the spring prior to tilling for planting.  Also
Monsanto has
developed genetically altered soybeans that are Roundup resistant.  When
these
beans are grown the entire field is sprayed with Roundup and all weeds
are killed
with no ill effect on the soybeans.  This is cheaper than using the
customary
herbicides.  These beans were available last year and I expect that
their use will
become more widespread.
I have used Roundup around my beehives for years for weed control and to
keep the
fronts clear of growth.  As far as I know I have never killed a bee.
Roundup kills plants by disabling the plants ability to draw moisture
from the roots
and the plant starves.  I don't believe it is toxic to any animals or
insects.  It is
neutralized on contact with soil.
Round up is a very good product but somewhat expensive.  50-90 dollars a
gallon for
full strength agricultural use product depending on size of container.
I don't think you have to worry about your bees.
 
Vic Kroenke
Kansas, USA