sequester bees to avoid poisoning?

[Todd Balsiger]

Thanks to Clara Counterman, I now have a list of highly toxic pesticides, among them is Malathion and Lorsban. The Malathion threw my bees for a loop, especially Jerry Schwanke's bees, who lost a minimum of 10 hives. Lorsban was spayed very close my hives recently. This time I was informed. Not having spare time, I decided not to move and just confine the bees. I noticed the my hives leaked bees. I put a double screen on top -- that was their top, and I screened the intrances. I was told the bees would go stir crazy if left confined too long. I think that was bad advice. They seemed fine at 2 pm.

What is someone else knowledge regarding the time you can safely sequester bees? Did it work for you. I will keep you informed on how Lorsban (spayed at 5:30 am effected my bees.

[toddbalsiger]

This is a reply to my own email. My bees were not affected by the Lorsban. Confining them until the afternoon worked. Also, another reason they may have avoided pestiside poisoning is that they were working other blooms, e.g. blackberry and vetch.

[NormCounterman]

You're a damn good beekeeper, Todd!
Thoughtful folk like you represent the future of the industry.
Sometimes you have to go after the answer; thats what you've done.
You couldn't control the spray timing, so you altered the contact timing. Atta boy!!!
Your on the right track. I hope you stick with it.
Norm

[toddbalsiger]

Thanks Norm,

I learn a little bit as I go, and I hope I don't get taken to bath all at once which almost happened with this Malathion spray.

This experience makes me think that communication, knowledge of spray activities, the ability to confine or relocate hives, and hive placement are important factors in pollinating crops where highly toxic pesticides are used. I mention the later reason, hive placement, for I think it saved my bacon. My hives were a short distance from the field that was spayed; Jerry's hives were within one foot. I think his hives got spray directely -- right up their entrances. That did 'em in! Plus side -- probably doesn't have mites.