Bt - Safe to use near bees?

[wfarler]

We use Bt (bacillus thuringus biological pest control) around the farm to suppress mosquitos. Since the bees drink out of the ponds is the Bt safe for them? I would guess that other bio controls like ladybugs and praying mantis are fine. Any other wisdom out there?

[Michael Bush]

Bacillus thuringiensis will kill wax moth larvae. It is safe for bees and humans.

You can buy it under the name brand Certan for that purpose (killing wax moths)
http://www.beesource.com/pov/lusby/waxmoth.htm
http://212.187.155.84/wnv/List_WPMod_Cont/westnile/Chemicals/bac.htm
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2174.html

[Gypsi]

is the liquid sold under brand name Thuricide safe to use on combs?

Gypsi

[Gypsi]

Bump, or do I need to start a new thread. I already bought the Thuricide....

[Walliebee]

There are different strains (varieties) of Bt available that have been selected to control different specific insects. Bt-kurstaki (BTK) controls the European corn borer, tomato hornworms, fruit worms, cabbageworm, cabbage looper, spring and fall cankerworm, spruce budworm, and other caterpillar-like larvae. Bt-san diego (BTSD) controls early larvae of the Colorado potato beetle. Bt-israelensis (BTI) controls mosquitoes, black flies and fungus gnats.

Bacillus thuringiensis -aizawai is used exclusively for the control of wax moth larvae.

Thuricide is Bt-kurstaki, so it is the wrong strain. It is also in an emulifised pertrolium oil that you should NOT put on your comb.

[Michael Bush]

My point was just that it is safe for bees. If you really want it to treat comb, I would buy the specific strains that are bred for that as Walliebee says.

[Gypsi]

Thank you. Can anyone tell me where to get the right stuff?

Gypsi

[Michael Bush]

www.beeworks.com has the Certan version. Sundance on here has been selling the Aizawai Bt

http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?206458-Bt-Aizawai-%28Certan-B401%29&highlight=Wax+Moths