Sevin/Apple Orchards

[Aspera]

Hello all!. I am moving my bees onto an apple orchard that will be spraying with Sevin for hymenoptera control. It is something that I am being forced to do I was just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how minimize the impact on my colonies. Labor and expense are not major issues as I have only have eight colonies and don't try to make any money from them.

[JP]

Aspera, find out when the spraying will be done and at what percentage, and volume. Determine the residual effect. The sun will break it down and rain. If you can move your bees when it is safe, do it then. What about next yr? How often do they spray? Find out. You can close your hives and cover them for a few days or so depending on the time of yr, but do you want to go through this on a regular basis? Good luck.

[Aspera]

They use a low volume mist type sprayer aimed up at the trees, primarily to kill yellow jackets and such on apples and grape vines. I think the spray is usually at dusk, but as you know Sevin has a long residue. I'm going to try to move the colonies in early spring as I know that they use a late pre-bloom spray. The only reason my bees are there is that I needed a location and I own no land, but am moving to a new job. I just couldn't bear to give up my bees having put so much into their keeping and genetic improvement. I'd even be willing to extract and dump the honey if it would help, but that would mean purchasing equipment I don't yet own. This is the reason that there are no young people in beekeeping...we don't own land.

[Ravenseye]

Aspera. Wow....there should be more people like you.

I'd work through it. Keep the hives as far away from the trees as possible. Apples are far past blossoms so the girls are out working other sources. If the sprayers are careful, you might be just fine. You could consider screening them in for a bit right after the spraying just to minimize contact. Your choice on the honey but I'd bet that it won't be any different from wherever your bees are foraging. Who knows what's out there. Just make sure that they aren't in direct contact.

I love your outlook. Keep the faith.

[jjallday]

I work as an ag consultant in Northern Michigan cherry and apple orchards. This is also a problem in pumpkins/curbits as we need to spray for squash bugs during bloom. See if they will use Sevin XLR (liquid) instead. It dries faster. Also, see if they will spray at night (is the best time to spray anyways = calm). This should reduce the chances of exposure.

Jason

[odfrank]

"Hymenoptera control"? That includes bees. Not a site I would want.

[kensfarm]

Wow... sevin will drop the bees dead in a heartbeat. The residual will kill them just as fast.

I'd move them ASAP.. and keep them away for 2 weeks or until it has rained.

Knock on a few doors.. farmers always want bee's.. maybe you can find a better spot.

[Yuleluder]

Aspera,

Are you out in Bucks county yet?

[Jeffzhear]

Wow... sevin will drop the bees dead in a heartbeat. The residual will kill them just as fast.

I'd move them ASAP.. and keep them away for 2 weeks or until it has rained.

Knock on a few doors.. farmers always want bee's.. maybe you can find a better spot.

I would follow Kens advice and get your bees outta dodge-city limits! Sevin is tough on honeybees, no doubt.

[AstroBee]

Absolutely follow kensfarm advice. Ask around, lots of farmers want bees, particulary if they don't have to pay for them. Also, post a listing on Craig's list. I just moved three hives out to a farm last Sunday - great location.

All the best.

[Aspera]

Aspera,

Are you out in Bucks county yet?

Yup, I'm here and may have found a new home for 2 of the eight hives. I'm still looking for a home for all eight of my hives. Many farmers are actually not that interested in my hives, with a few asking for cash payment. Whatever, I'll find a way to make it work eventually, but the bees may have to experience a nearby spray before the situation is resolved. Another issue is that Bucks is not a rural county anymore, but has many litigeous suburbanites and people who see no value in insects.