We've got a small mating yard that we move splits in and out of. It's next to 100 or so acres of citrus. The owner of the 10 acre grove right next to us always alerts me as to their spray schedule but the owners of the rest never do. I think what happened is that one of them sprayed during the bloom. 22 nucs w/new queens were devastated! The strong drone hives were knocked back a bit but are mostly OK.
Bee poisoning (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XtPvJueGQA#ws)
It could also be a neighbor 1/4 mi away that complained about bees in his hot tub. I offered to buy him a cover for it but never heard back. Maybe he set out some poison syrup?? I kinda doubt it but might be a possibility.
I'll be finding out more come Monday.
Scott
My money is on the hot tub guy! What could ya do anyway? Maybe drain it for him!
How are those jester boxes working for you?
Quote from: hardwood on March 25, 2012, 05:17:26 PM
I offered to buy him a cover for it but never heard back.
You could offer him a spray bottle with almond extract in it. His hot tub will smell better and the bees should leave it alone.
WOW!! Sorry for your losses, just when you think things are going your way............wham!!
I know you will bounce back and best of luck with everything.
Tefer, Some are Kevin's (Jester) nucs and some are from an older design by John Sauls (both of whom are local). They're great for making splits into but you have to transfer them into wooden nucs or 10-framers within a day or two or they overheat in the FL sun and it melts the comb and kills the bees. The wood ones seen in the video are ones we make but I only have 100 of those. You can keep them in the wood ones for a long time (screened bottom).
Scott
I don't wish this on anybody. Sorry you had to go through this and I hope you find who is responsible.
What kind of spray do you put on citrus when they are in bloom? And were you feeding these nucs? Open feeding or jars on each one?
that really stinks, sorry bout it
Been there myself. I feel your pain.
Steve
man that sucks.
Allen, they use "mustang" for the spray. Most spray well before the bloom but I saw a large (1000 acre) grove being sprayed just a few miles from there on Friday at about noon time. I've talked with several beekeepers here and we are going to report the daytime use. I have a meeting with our ag inspector tomorrow morning and am hoping he can be of help.
No, I haven't been feeding. The flow from citrus is a really strong one!
Scott
From Mustang ag page.
"Citrus growers should be aware that most of the broad-spectrum insecticides recommended for psyllid control cannot be applied when citrus is blooming because of the impact these products may have on pollinators. Planning ahead to control psyllids prior to the presence of bloom will help reduce the need to apply pesticides during the bloom period. Check the pesticide label for restrictions on application of a product when trees are in bloom."
If it was sprayed, then it was the killer.
I'm so sorry to hear that :(
Sorry to hear about the bee kill, were they for increases or for sale? Let us know what the inspector says
Ed
Sorry to hear of your lost, Hardwood
Joe
Sorry to hear of your loss Scott. Is that the yard at Oak Hill that June and I visited you at? Larry
Everyone cries they want bees to polinate then the farmers go and do that bull id be really pist and id make sure the dept of agriculture finds out who did it and makes them pay for your loss. Chris
Larry, yes, that's the yard that y'all came to. It's been reported folks but there are so many different groves in the area that it'll be hard to find who's responsible.
Scott
sorry to Hear of your troubles-when you talked to AG extension where did there sympathies lie
with the growers and there problems with the threat of there citrus groves being devastated
by the greening--or where they sympathetic to the beekeeper and his up hill battle to survive
in a world that is becoming to toxic to maintain sustainability-- :-x RDY-B
Scott, I hate it for ya'll. Sounds like some inept growers to me who don't give a sh...shoot. I'm not sure about the poisoned syrup...would the guy with the hot tub be smart(?) enough to do something like that? You really seem to be a good guy but you've certainly gotten nailed over the last several months...ever get any satisfaction from your boat getting shot up?
You've got a great attitude. When I see a post of yours I can't help but see you sittin' squatted down beside that swarm in the low bush while you grin eating a banana. Attitude!!!
Hang in there, man, things will get better!
Ed
I wonder what Honey robber would do to a hot tub? Just wondering. :-D
So sorry man.
...JP
>I wonder what Honey robber would do to a hot tub? Just wondering
As long as you don't mind a hot tub that smells like vomit...