farmers spraying

[dcromwel]

I have an opportunity next spring to place one or more of my hives near a fruit orchard and soybean farmland. I have not yet spoken with the farmers that own and manage these properties, but I understand that spraying herbicides and/or insecticides is a typical feature of their management strategies. Before deciding whether to place the hives there, what questions should I be asking the farmers and what answers would leave you certain that it would be a bad idea?

Many thanks,

David in Baltimore

[nursebee]

An orchidist with any sense knows not to spray the flowers when in bloom as fruit set will be less if pollinators die. I hope that soybean farmers know the same but I do not know. What I do know is that soybeans are all around me and I have not seen detriment to my hives. I might not notice it though...

[MIKI]

Dave,
Explain your situation and ask him what his schedule is and what chemicals he is using. Then go to the internet and research the chem pay particular attention to persistance, he should be able to tell you. and close the hives at the appropraite times. I have the same situation I met a guy who grows fruit for primarily liquor. I made a deal to put 50 hives on his property and this was the first thing we discussed.

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Procrastination is the assination of inspiration.

Gary

[Ian]

>>Explain your situation and ask him what his schedule is and what chemicals he is using.

I wish it were that easy. Herbicide and fungicide treatments dont lay as much concern as insectiside treatment. And insecticide treatment decissions are made within days, if not hours. You must let the farmer know your hives close to his field, and ask him to notify you when he is prepairing a insecticide treatment. With that cooperation you will be okay. You can keep your hives safe and also collect a huge crop of honey off his land. Most all farmers know the benifet of pollinators and will go out of thier way to help protect your stock. But they cant notify the beekeeper if the farmer doesnt know you are there.
Give them a pound of honey,

Ian

[dcromwel]

Thanks for the feedback and advice. Two additional questions for clarity:
(1) even if the spraying is just herbicides, fungicides, won't those chemicals get into the honey? and
(2) how do you "close" the hive for the spray window? Does that mean moving it out of there?

Thanks again,

David in Baltimore

[clintonbemrose]

when I am notified by the farmers about spraying if the hives are close I move them because of overspray drifting. If they spray 500 yards from the hive I screen the girls in for 24 hours. I will work with the farmers and I provide then with a gallon of honey through the year for their input. This works for me. I also go to all township meetings to meet and have coffee with them.
Clint

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Clinton Bemrose
just South of Lansing Michigan
Beekeeping sence 1964

[dcromwel]

Good advice. Many thanks.

Any thoughts on the risk of fungicidal or herbicidal toxins getting into the comb and honey even if they don't kill the bees?

Thanks.

[This message has been edited by dcromwel (edited November 30, 2004).]