[log in to unmask] (Rick Fell)
 
>....also be sure of the situation before accusing
someone, or creating ill feelings because of a false accusation.  If you are
concerned about possible problems, talk to the grower.  Most of those with
whom I've worked in the past 15-20 years are interested in doing what they
can to protect bees and many are good supporters of the bee industry.
 
   Thanks Rick for your thoughts; perhaps I didn't make it clear enough that
this is a last resort kind of thing for the hardheads who will not comply any
other way.  If a farmer is careful and consciencious, support him in every
possible way.  But it is a more common problem than you may realize, because
many beekeepers will not report it. They have become cynical about the
enforcement authorities, or they fear vandalism, loss of pollination
business, loss of bee locations, etc.
 
   I have *eaten* a lot of damage myself over the years, to keep good
relationships with growers, but many years have enough hits to take the
profit out of the business and keep me poor.  I have determined that I will
have to hold some violators accountable, or the problem will never stop. The
ones who cuss and threaten you are the ones who thereby declare their intent
to violate.  Yes, these are only a minority, but oh, how costly they can be!
 
>..... some pesticide applications can be made
legally during bloom.  These include the application of fungicides for
disease control as Dave indicated, but also streptomycin for the control of
 fireblight.
    Yes I should have been more clear here too.  A few years back I heard
talk of experiments using honeybees to vector streptomyacin to the bloom.
 Did anything come of this?  Anyone?
 
    Clemson is experimenting with honeybees carrying fungicide to strawberry
bloom.
 
[log in to unmask]                      Dave Green
PO Box 1215, Hemingway, SC  29554