You get a call from...

[blammer]

the local farmer saying he is going to spray next Mon.

What do you do to protect your bees?

[randydrivesabus]

sabotage the farmer's spray equipment.

[Tia]

I would get the details (when, type of spray, etc) and close up my girls for the day.

[power napper]

If a threatening spray then close the hive entrances with #8 hardware mesh (cut a four inch piece of mesh off the same width as your entrance and bend it longwise in the middle), slide into the entrance at night when the bees are inside. Or place wet burlap over the hives to keep them in (I don't have any idea where you would get that much burlap). In hot weather the bees need water so you may have to rig up a waterer in the hive.

[SweetBettyBees]

Smart farmer to give you some notice.

[Sundance]

Tia is on point here. You need to know what
is being sprayed. Some insecticides have a
short half life and others very long.

[George Fergusson]

I'm going through this situation now, except that the farmer down the road already sprayed, didn't noitify me, and I've got dead bees.

[D Coates]

You can get cheap burlap from a farm and ranch supply store very easily.

[blammer]

Ok, how do you close up your bees would have been a better follow up question.

so use #8 hard wire mesh in the entrance and put the sprinkler on them for the day...

or

If I cover in burlap and then run a sprinkler on it for the day....bees stay cool and comfy then the next day let em out....

good or bad?

[SweetBettyBees]

Coffee roasters frequetly have nice burlap sacks - big enough to cover most hives with a single sack.

[Trevor Mansell]

Tell him for every bee he kills he loses a finger.

[Aspera]

All in all, I'd say a couple of days notice is as good as it gets until people start using pesticide alternatives.

[naturebee]

Remember to provide plenty of ventilation. Burlap is a neat idea, but I would be concerned that it might hinder air movement a bit. You might want to provide some shade also.

[Tia]

I have front doors for all my hives. It's like a little screened in porch so they get the ventilation, but they can get in/out. I use them when I move my hives. Michael Bush has them with nice pictures on his site as Robber Screens. Front doors are the same but without the entrance/exit hole.

[ August 04, 2006, 06:22 PM: Message edited by: Tia ]

[BjornBee]

I posted this on george's thread about pesticide. You can pick out the important parts that may be applicable...

>>>Have him realize that your bees are not the only thing being killed. 50% and more of any crop is done by natural pollinators(flies, wasps, solitary bees, etc.) These are being killed also. And no amount of honey bees for the crops you mention will make up for them. Protection of your bees and the natural pollinators means him changing the times of spraying. Spraying should be done early morning before the sun comes up. Or, preferrably at sundown. This allows the spray to dry and be less of an impact on flying pollination insects. The calmer evening breeze means a better cover for the sprayer. Many farmers do not do daytime spraying for this very reason.

He can also contact the county pesticide authority or his own pesticide consultant to find out if a less lethal chemical since bees are in the area.

He is directly costing himself money by potentially killing off not just your bees but natural pollinators. He is hurting his own pollination efforts and it is costing him money. I always go this route prior to any further discussions of liability and other matters that could get nasty. But he should know that liability can be assigned if damage occurrs after he has been properly notified of any harmful effects from his spraying.

--------------------
I do not have any fancy letters after my name, no books published, and not many years experience. So please regard my contributions with the best intentions as just a member of this forum. Thank you.

[sierrabees]

Sounds like your neighbor knows what he is doing. He knew enough to give you notice so you could take precautions. We have to deal with this all the time in California and it's good to let the farmer know you appreciate his consideration. I wouldn't try to tell a farmer how to manage his crops, he doesn't try to tell you how to manage your bees. Establishing a good raport with him could lead to a lucrative polination contract some day.

[Michael Bush]

#8 hardware cloth over the entrance is quick and fairly effective. Screen doors like Brushy Mt. sells are better. A screened top and screened door are nice on a hot day, but #8 over the inner cover hole and the entrance with the lids left off usually will work. Even better if you can put mason jars of water on the inner cover holes or water in a frame feeder.

[blammer]

good ideas!

thanks!