"Neonicotinoids are a class of highly toxic insecticides designed to damage the central nervous system of insects, causing tremors, paralysis and death at even very low doses."
The photo below is of my bees today. Temps reached up into the high 60's by noon and the bees were busy making lots of runs for nectar and pollen.
I've had my bees for exactly 3 weeks and one day. I think they're doing very well. They were bringing in dandelion pollen within the first week. It's about the only "flower" in my neck of the woods this early in the year. Elevation is 7,700 where I live and winters are long. The snow is still melting in the surrounding hills.
The bees love it when I dip my fingers in sugar water! They drink from me like a trough.
  |   |
I sent the above two pictures to my cousin who is also a beekeeper (more knowledgeable than I) and she said, the comb here is what is called burr comb. In man-made hives it's basically comb anywhere but in a frame where the beekeeper doesn't always want it. Bees put it in gaps they want to fill that are bigger than 5/8 in. A lot of folks will simply scrape it off to keep the hive easier to work with so you aren't always pulling apart the bees work every time you open the hive. What looks like honey (the shiny stuff) could be uncapped honey, but she guesses it's probably water, which they gather and bring home in addition to pollen and nectar.
This little girl wasn't feeling well. She was either fatigued or had encountered some insecticide.
I love becoming part of their environment so that they feel comfortable to land on me and adjust their loads before flying on into the hive. I was trying to put one bee near the entrance that had me "home" for awhile, but she just wanted to stay on me!
Below you can see the yellow and orange pollen coming in. It's a great source of protein for the bees.
Today, I took some of the frames out to inspect. The top board that you see on the top right (see photo below) had comb being built onto it, which makes it difficult to open the hive because it disturbs the bees more when I pry it open. I took that top off and set it on the ground and let the bees leave it on their own and replaced the top with a fresh one.
I didn't use smoke on my bees and I rarely do. I just move slowly and try not to ever jolt or bump them. That really bothers them when it happens. If I'm slow and fearless, they do fine. I did not get stung. I don't wear protective clothing. I prefer being able to connect with my bees enough that I am accepted by them. I had some aggressive bumps when I lifted the frame, and I back up when that happens if I don't have a frame in my hands. I want to show that I can respect their request for space. I'll pull a frame out and set it down and then photograph it. I let them calm down if they've gotten a bit spooked. Then I gently and slowly put the frame back.
I often sit with my bees as they hoover above and all around me. I love the sound of their buzz and the feel of them so close. I'll put my hand at the hive entrance and they'll land on me as they're coming in with nectar and pollen. They'll crawl over me on their way out. Not once do they tell me they are threatened. There's a sound bees can make when they aren't happy. This hive is so sweet and kind to me.
The bees are building up quite a lot of comb between frames 2 and 3 from the right.
It was good news for bees this week in one big court case.
Center for Food Safety VICTORY! COURT HOLDS BEE-KILLING PESTICIDE APPROVALS VIOLATED THE LAW
"Neonicotinoids are a class of highly toxic insecticides designed to damage the central nervous system of insects, causing tremors, paralysis and death at even very low doses.
Since the mid-2000s, their use through various methods has skyrocketed. Methods include sprays, soil drenches, tree injections and others. However, by far their greatest use in terms of U.S. land area affected is as crop seed coatings – a process by which agrichemicals are mixed together with large batches of seeds in order to coat them before the seeds are planted.
Center for Food Safety VICTORY! COURT HOLDS BEE-KILLING PESTICIDE APPROVALS VIOLATED THE LAW
"Neonicotinoids are a class of highly toxic insecticides designed to damage the central nervous system of insects, causing tremors, paralysis and death at even very low doses.
Since the mid-2000s, their use through various methods has skyrocketed. Methods include sprays, soil drenches, tree injections and others. However, by far their greatest use in terms of U.S. land area affected is as crop seed coatings – a process by which agrichemicals are mixed together with large batches of seeds in order to coat them before the seeds are planted.
Neonicotinoids persist in soil and are readily transported via air, dust and water both within and outside the planted fields.
Seeds coated with bee-killing neonicotinoid insecticides are now used on more than 150 million acres of U.S. corn, soybeans, cotton and other crops.
After seeds coated with neonics are planted, the chemicals spread far beyond the crop they are intended for and can contaminate nearby wildflowers, soil and water — all of which pose significant threats to bees foraging and nesting in the area. It has been known for several years that these chemicals can kill or weaken more than just the targeted pests.
Non-target harm can occur to beneficial invertebrates, as well as to birds and other wildlife, through both direct and indirect effects."
The EPA has consistently violated it ‘s responsibilities under the law and are under the complete control of the chemical industry." Please read full article here.
Source:
http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/…/court-holds-bee-killin…
RSS Feed
