Dave Green writes:
[lots of stuff omitted]
> Sometimes there is no bloom in the crop to be sprayed, but there are
> weeds. We've been hit from mustard in wheat, goldenrod in corn, and clover
> in orchards. In each case it was a violation, as bees were foraging. It
> doesn't matter if it is the crop, or if it is weeds; the key is, are bees
> foraging.
Also, aphids, because bees will sometimes work *them* for
'honeydew'. This can be a particularly problem because if it's
worth the bees while to work them, the aphids are probably the
target pest.
Incidently, A problem we've had here recently is the local water
supplier treating the _drinking_water_supply_ with pesticide in
the spring & autumn (fall) -- just when we're feeding syrup. Now
they know it's a problem, at least they tell us they're going to
do it.
> Monitor hives are a good tool, and I have made offers for years to provide
> free monitor hives for applicators.
How do you use these please?
> One of our vector control (mosquito) county directors just sent me a
> certified letter demanding that I give him all my locations, so he could
> notify me when they are going to spray. He has by this means, declared his
> intention to use the material without regard to label directions, as I told
> him they would be sufficiently protected if he followed them.
Could he possibly be trying to protect both you and he from
mistakes? I guess that mosquito spraying is mostly in water &
boggy areas where it will probably be impossible to totally avoid
bee forage. Of course I may be being naive here!
> We must always be clear in all our dealings that we are talking about
> misuse, not use of pesticides. We understand the necessary role of
> pesticides in agriculture, beekeepers have to have them, too. But we also
> must bring to justice those who misuse them, or the problem will never stop.
And I'd like to get them on *our* side if possible. They need us
and they're *starting* to realise how much.
Regards,
--
Gordon Scott [log in to unmask] Compuserve 100332,3310
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Basingstoke Beekeeper [log in to unmask]
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