Comments on: 2018 Neonics Ban in Maryland

By: Claire Jones

Claire Jones — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 14:28:50 +0000

In reply to Doug001. I state that 75% of crops need some kind of pollinator (not honeybees exclusively) and the scientific results on neonics is still inconclusive and I am not in the least politically motivated! Thanks for commenting!

By: Doug001

Doug001 — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 12:41:57 +0000

I love this website, but trotting out unscientific disproven politically motivated garbage (you forgot to blame global warming) is sickening. The science has moved on, and this article is a year out of date.
For probably millions of years honey bees have picked up plant viruses in the nectar they drink, and unexpectedly, plant viruses (particularly mosaic viruses) infect bees! Until recently the infected bee dies after a week or so and the hive goes on. Now we have a new vector for viruses in bees, the Varroa mite. It acts like a tsetse fly, a mosquito, a deer tick, or any other bloodsucking critter that passes diseases from person to person to animal. The bee with the virus is an easy mark for a varroa, if the bee dies in the hive the mite moves to another bee. Not only do they attack then move on passing the virus, they pass the virus on in their eggs, which are laid in the brood cells, the mini mites get out onto worker bees, and sometimes onto the queen. Once the queen has the virus, she begins laying infected eggs. Some of these viruses cause the bee to become disfigured before pupating, maybe unable to fly. It’s not difficult to see what happens next, a weakened queen, weakened brood, less food gathered, and any hope of natural re-queening a waste of effort, the new queens are infected. The hive is doomed. The only hope is to artificially re-queen after removing all varroa mites.
Plant viruses have been ignored by people for too long, but they are all part of the web of life, when one thing gets out of sync, it can throw everything out of whack.

Oh, and another thing, honey bees do not pollinate 75% of our food, they might pollinate 75% of our food species, but the majority of our food is not reliant on any insect pollinator, and of the rest, many are pollinated by native bees. Fruit trees need honey bees, many garden flowers are visited by honey bees, great numbers of wild flowers are visited by honey bees. Bees produce honey, wax, propolis and other useful products, they also pollinate apples, cherries, plums, peaches, citrus, berries, and some of our garden vegetables, alongside wild bees. Without honeybees my Nankin cherries don’t produce because native bees aren’t out that early, and the local hives are not local enough for the bees to visit in cooler weather, but I won’t starve.

By: Claire Jones

Claire Jones — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 13:02:15 +0000

In reply to Gordon Polson. Not sure what you are saying?

By: Gordon Polson

Gordon Polson — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 05:12:04 +0000

I am it wouldn’t forward. So I tried to print it, but again without success and now short of taking down verbatim what you show on screen I am stumped.

By: Claire Jones

Claire Jones — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 20:24:39 +0000

In reply to Becky K Dickerhoof.

Recent studies show a lot of different statistics. Which study were you referring to?
Mitigating risks to insect pollinators is important to everyone and if we can lessen the use of pesticides, that is a help and something that we can control. Mites and viruses are tougher to tackle. It is the cascade of all these stressors though that mixed together causes our problems and I am proud that my home state has taken action with the banning of these pesticides.
I am a hobby beekeeper and my only three colonies died over the winter, so I can’t do a split and I certainly won’t get any swarms to increase. A commercial beekeeper would have more opportunities in that direction. Pesticides and pollinators are critical to the continuing success of worldwide agriculture, it is imperative that we learn to accurately and honestly assess the benefits and risks of their interactions.

By: Claire Jones

Claire Jones — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 19:53:41 +0000

In reply to Robynne Standish. Thanks Robynne, I am also concerned when people say recent studies. I want to know who, what, and where. And I agree that it isn't just one factor that is a problem but the toxic mix of problems that create a cascade of problems.If we can mitigate even one problem we are helping.

By: Robynne Standish

Robynne Standish — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 13:37:03 +0000

I’m invariably a little concerned when comments refer to ‘recent studies’ – Becky, can you be more specific as to precisely which studies show pesticides are 11th in this lost, and just as importantly, the funding for these studies. As one who is involved with this field of study, I am not aware of such a list, and am interested to read it. The argument that colonies are increasing and beekeeper can make splits is one that is actively perpetuated by the agri-chemical industry to detract attention from the effects of its products, and puts quantity above quality. Yes, varroa are nasty, yet it is the bees reduced resistance to pathogens, diseases, etc., caused by herbicides, pesticides and fungicides, that makes them particularly vulnerable to varroa, nosema, etc. For a more in-depth, scientific, explanation, refer the 6 series article by Ross Conrad in recent editions of Bee Culture.

By: Becky K Dickerhoof

Becky K Dickerhoof — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 13:10:37 +0000

I always enjoy your articles, but this one is not based on fact. Recent studies show pesticides are ranked 11th in bee colony loss. Varroa mites/viruses are more dangerous to colony survival than pesticides. While you lament the loss of your hives, reality is the overall number of colonies has actually increased since the USDA began record keeping. A good beekeeper knows how to recover any lost colonies through splits and swarms. Shame on you for perpetuating a false hood on your readers.

By: Claire Jones

Claire Jones — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 15:45:53 +0000

In reply to Charlene Clemens. You are welcome. Thanks for commenting and sharing

By: Charlene Clemens

Charlene Clemens — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 13:37:55 +0000

I recently learned of neonics after purchasing bedding plants at Home Depot that had a tag stating that they had been treated to kill aphids and white flies but said nothing about pollinators!!! I pulled up the plants and returned them and have tried to educate everyone I know. People are buying these plants in ignorance of their impact on pollinators. My husband is a beekeeper and I raise Monarch butterflies to keep them from extinction and help educate others in my area. I’ll share your much needed article and many thanks.