Opinions about pesticides in pollen stores

[kansas]

"You should destroy AFB diseased colonies and colonies that have been exposed to
pesticide poisoning (since food stores may be contaminated with pesticides)."

- from Mid-Atlantic Apiculture Research & Extension Consortium's Fall Managment Flyer

What are some thoughts on this?  I had a hive that got nailed by some Sevin from a neighbor's cucs.  Only once- around 500 deaths.  But, I saw some awfully white pollen/ Sevin being brought in at the same time.
:-\

[BMAC]

You live in the KC area?  If so you should call Bob Dye and talk with him about it.

[Kirk-o]

You know I don't know how to tell if there is Pesticide in pollen
kirk-o

[kansas]

I think it was sevin being carried in cause it was awfully white and alot was being brought in on the same days the bees were dying.

Bob ordered my bees for me. ;)

[asprince]

Sevin being so lethal, would it not have killed or at least weakened the forager bees before they could carry it back to the hive?

Steve

[BMAC]

I think I have seen some white pollen in my hives.  That is why I suggested talking with Bob about it.  He would for sure tell you if white pollen is natural for this area. 

Yep Bob is a good guy.  I picked up a couple NUCs from him this year.

[Robo]

You can't tell based on color alone.  I have seen pollen as white as snow.  If you are insinuating that they where carrying in pure sevin as pollen,  then I agree with Steve,  it would have killed them long before now.

[kansas]

Ok, thanks for the replies.  I hope you are right that it would have killed them before entering.  I thought they may have been carrying it in because all of the 500 or so dead bees made it back to the hive as there were heaps out front in the grass.  If they made it that far, did they die out front or go in and then exit to die or were they carried out?  The source of the sevin wouldn't have been but 500 ft. away.  We'll see.  I won't be destroying this hive though, as it's the only one I have.   :-\

[Scadsobees]

I would also think that IF there were pollen that was contaminated that the hive will crash over the course of a few days or weeks as the pollen gets consumed and the larvae would be killed off.  So that would be something to keep an eye on...if they thrive and build up, then I wouldn't worry about it, the pollen was consumed without adverse effects.

-r

[Brian D. Bray]

I have a shrub growing next to my wheelchair ramp to the porch that was planted there by my mother years ago.  It is blooming right now and producing white pollen.  In my beeyard there is one forager returning with pollen for everyone returning with anything elste.  Pollen ranges from white to black and every coor in between.

[reinbeau]

Jewelweed produced white pollen, there are plenty of white pollen plants out there.

[rdy-b]

the problem we have around here is PENCAP it is micro-incapsulated  and is carried back to the hive and is stored for winter stores and when there is no pollen flow they consume it and it can be devastating to the colony. this is not a home owner application but is in use for heavy AG.   many people are talking about white pollen around here white pollen this time of year is from the eucalyptus flow. I think euc. is just about every place.and is a good pollen source. :) RDY-B