Offer of Pesticide Info

[Sundance]

I have recently been certified in commercial pesticide application by the state. I work summers for the county applying herbicides to noxious weeds in the right of way.

If anyone has a question, I would be glad to answer it or dig into my references on specific chemicals.

[Ozzy1]

While inspecting hives I ran into several that had a pile of dead bees laying in front of the hives. Only 3 out of 11 in that yard were affected but their field force had been wiped out. There was only corn. hay fields, and soybeans around but this is the time of year that weedkillers are applied to corn and bean fields. Corn and beans are still small so what would they be spraying that would kill so many bees. It is possible that someone sprayed some trees somewhere but considering how many bees were killed it had to be a fairly large area that was sprayed.
Lynn

[Sundance]

Asian soybean rust is a new an serious agricultural threat. Fungicides are used to control it and there is some concern of its affect on bees.

The more likely culprit (though still unlikely)is the corn and the possibility of the application of an insecticide. Early stage targets would be most likely cutworms, corn rootworms. But most farmers put up with the crop loss rather than treat with soil insecticides.

My best advise is to always talk to the farmers and ask specifically what they are spraying and when. Most realize the benifit they get from having pollinators on their fields and will gladly share info with you.

[Robert Hawkins]

Sundance, any truth to the Old wives tale of using soap and water against the Sawfly. They're coming out now.

Hawk

[Sundance]

Absolutly........ I suffer from those rascals. They hit my plums bad!!!

I use Safer Soap. Homemade soap is high in fatty acids and would probably work. New commercial soaps I am unsure of and would shy away from them.

Safer Soap is inexpensive and effective. Hit them early as it is only effect on the slugs (they do the leaf damage).

[Rob-bee]

Sundance.. My neighbor is going to spray his field to kill the dandelions in it. What could I suggest he use or ask him not to use? My bees gather from the same field should I be concerned sense he is not spraying for insects?

[Robert Hawkins]

Thank you sir. Rob-bee tell him to use water. dandelions are our friend.

Hawk

[Sundance]

Always be concerned when someone is spraying or broadcasting anything. The key is to know who lives in your bee forage area and let them know.

The herbicide of choice for dandelions is usually glyphosate (Roundup).

Talk him into fall application because it is the best and most effective time.

Does he know how to figure application rates?? Rates are typically 0.5 liters/acre (more or less depending on specific product and field condition).

How is he applying it?

To be safe keep bees out of field until it is dry.

Here's a link to effects of glyphosate on arthropods.

http://www.biotech-info.net/glyphosate.html

It makes it sound pretty harmless but I would keep the bees in for at least a few hours. Encourage spraying during low humidity (faster dry time) and low wind.

[BedWetter]

I have mostly seen 2-4D (unsure of the chemical name) used on dandelions. It is used to kill broadleaf plants and not harm grass. I think he would probably use this.

[Sundance]

Roberts solution is the best by far! What is his reason for spraying?? Is it used for hay??

I sure have a new appreciation of dandelions myself. I held off mowing until seed heads matured..........

[Sundance]

To be clear...........

I never use pesticides unless as a very last resort. I do not use commercial chemicals at all on my hives, apples, plums, or garden.

On road right of ways we are very selective and only hit noxious weeds.

One ornamental on its way to us is Salt Cedar. What a monster!! A single plant uses up to 200 gallons of water a day! I exudes salts that drip off its leaves and kills everything around it.

[Sundance]

2-4D (most formulas) have been shown to impair brood production in honeybees at moderate levels.

Roundup is less toxic to fish, birds, and bees.

Here's a cool Canadian site:

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex704?opendocument

[Rob-bee]

>Roberts solution is the best by far! What is his reason for spraying?? Is it used for hay??

He is spraying because he says "I am tired of mowing it they grow to fast"

I would offer to mow it myself but it is about 10
Acres. I have just a small riding mower.

>I have mostly seen 2-4D (unsure of the chemical name) used on dandelions. It is used to kill broadleaf plants and not harm grass.

That seems to be the chemical of choice if I remember correctly.

>Roundup is less toxic to fish, birds, and bees.

He wants the grass to stay and the dandelions gone. So a broad leaf herbicide is what they will probably use.

I will go and plead my case again to him and ask that they hold off. It is sad because it is such a pretty field of yellow when those flowers are open. There is even quite a bit of clover mixed in also.


:confused:

[dickm]

Do you mean to tell me 2-4D is still around? The other name for it is Agent Orange. Yuk.

Dickm

[beedeetee]

2-4D is in most broadleaf herbicides. I think that it was the dioxin's in Agent Orange that caused the problems. 2-4D was one of the herbicides in Agent Orange, but not the only one.

[Barry Digman]

One ornamental on its way to us is Salt Cedar.I wish you luck with this nasty thing. We're buried in it.


http://www.buffzone.com/science/science/02dcovr.html

[Sundance]

If it is a grass feild then 2-4D is a good choice and fairly safe if applied at the right rate.

[Jim Young]

Dickm wrote: "Do you mean to tell me 2-4D is still around? The other name for it is Agent Orange. Yuk."

Agent Orange was associated with 2,4,5-T which is no longer available.

BTW, Roundup will kill all vegetation; therefore, it should never be used in any field or lawn to control dandelions unless all vegetation is desired to be killed.

Jim

[BeeCurious]

I've seen that Imidan/phosmet is nasty stuff... are there any alternatives?

If a hive is about 20 feet from the apple trees that will be sprayed, with a screened entrance and perhaps covered with a sheet (wet?) And if the person spraying cooperates by spraying in the evening with little air movement will the bees be fairly safe?

I've been told that "after petal fall a mixture of: Imidan; Rubigan; Dithane; with Nu-Film as a sticker is applied with a second application two weeks later".

I may simply move the hive after petal fall .

Any suggestions?

[Jeffzhear]

Sundance, I have a question: Do you think Roundup has any negative effect on the honeybees? This past year I tried spraying the weeds that were sprouting between the slate on a slate patio....I have about 10 hives on that patio also. The bees were mighty ticked off at me the whole time I applied the Roundup.

Since that one application, I decided to use my four-cycle string trimmer at my other yards rather then roundup...

Just curious

[Ian]

>>Do you think Roundup has any negative effect on the honeybees

Nope

[BeeCurious]

Is anyone dealing with phosmet?


I've seen that Imidan/phosmet is nasty stuff... are there any alternatives?

If a hive is about 20 feet from the apple trees that will be sprayed, with a screened entrance and perhaps covered with a sheet (wet?) And if the person spraying cooperates by spraying in the evening with little air movement will the bees be fairly safe?

I've been told that "after petal fall a mixture of: Imidan; Rubigan; Dithane; with Nu-Film as a sticker is applied with a second application two weeks later".

I may simply move the hive after petal fall .

Any suggestions?