On Sat, 16 Mar 1996, Laura A. Downey wrote:
 
> I have root maggots in my vegetable garden which I will be treating with
> something that is safe to my honeybees.  At the garden store today, they
> recommended Diazinon.
 
As far as organophorphorous insecticides go, diazinon is one of the more
harmful compounds to honey bees.  The reason is not so much that it is
extremely toxic to bees (which it is, but so are a number of other safer
compounds), but that it remains hazardous for weeks after application
(while other insecticides loose a considerable amount of their toxicity
overnight).
 
> I told them that I had honey bees and was given the
> answer "Diazinon is put in the soil, you shouldn't have any problems."  I
> have a feeling that I shouldn't use it.  My bee hives are very close to the
> garden.
 
It all depends how and when it is applied.  Pesticides are not toxic to
honey bees when they are sprayed on areas that do not contain attractive
blooms.  Diazinon is commonly used to treat root maggots, I think
you can buy both an emulsifiable concentrate (EC) and granular (G)
formulations for this purpose, and is either applied using soil drench or
furrow treatments.  I think furrow treatments (where you apply granules
of Diazinon with the seed at the time of seeding) will pose no threat to
your bees.  I'm not sure about soil drench applications, but I suspect
they are safe too, but i'm not as sure.
 
> I want to get rid of these pests without harming my bees and without using
> chemicals.  I'd much prefer to use something natural.  I would like to know
> if Diazinon is safe to use around honey bees.  I can use nematodes, which is
> natural, and safe for the bees.  But, in order to appease my husband who is
> just about willing to use anything to get rid of the pests, I'd like to get
> some strong information against using the Diazinon.
 
Sorry I didn't gave you a mixed bag of advice.  I'm sure there are plenty of
organic ways to deal with root pests, especially on a small scale such as a
garden. I don't know too much about controls available for such pests,
but i'm sure there are safer ways to deal with your problem. Nematodes sound
like they would work.  Check into diatomaceous earth, neem (Margosan-O or
Align), or alternative tillage practices with a good gardening club, or shop.
 
Good luck,
Adony
 
****************************************
*** Adony Melathopoulos ****************
***** Center for Pest Management *******
******** Simon Fraser University *******
*********** Burnaby, British Coumbia ***
************** CANADA ******************
****************************************
 
'All bees are looking for bargins in nature's supermarket'
- Bernd Heinrich
 
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