I have often not reported pesticide damage, because I discover it too late
to really do any investigation.  Some of my bees are normally seen only ever
six weeks or so.  During this pesticide season, I have resolved to check as
many as possible weekly.
 
   I looked at about 250 hives yesterday, checking for damage.  I had one bad
hit about a month ago, but most of the bees are still in passable shape, with
light damage at many sites.
 
   The temperature yesterday was in the high 90's (F), and this usually makes
the bees so stressed that they just look at you and say *It's too hot to
sting. How about a rain check?*  I have often worked bees in a swimsuit in
hot weather.  I'm glad I didn't yesterday.
 
   While watching hive entrances (I was also trying to identify pollen
loads), on three occasions, at three different sites, the bees suddenly
passed the alarm message and they came after me en masse.
 
   It was impressive, even to this old hardhead.  I wouldn't be  surprised to
find one bad hive, but this was reapeated.  I have noticed before that bees
with light pesticide damage can become very aggressive.
 
   Once in a while farmhands tell me about bad experiences with my bees,
which I tend to be skepical about.  I know a sting or two can turn into
hundreds in the retelling. And MY bees are very gentle; they wouldn't chase
someone out of a field.  But bees like I saw yesterday, could really put a
hurting on an inexperienced person.
 
   I don't know any solutions, I'm just keeping my fingers crossed.  Most of
the farm hands won't go anywhere near the bees, but an occasional one makes
an effort to *rob* them, usually after quite a few beers.  <Shudder>
 
[log in to unmask]                  Dave Green
PO Box 1215, Hemingway,  SC   29554
 
 
   *Didunt no nothin bout terramites till aunt Reba gave us that durn pieano*