Alfalfa Pesticides

[combover]

hello all. 

Plans are in the works to get my first hive this spring.  It's crunch time and getting equipment in order. 

One thing I thought that didn't cross my mind earlier is.  I have a nine acre alfalfa field that is cut for hay and it just occured to me that the farmer sprays it for weevils every year.  Do any of you know if that chemical has any effect on Bees?? 

[bassman1977]

Do you have an exact name?  I could find out easy enough.  My family's farm is right behind my house and there are lots of acres of alfalfa in the fields.  My bees have never been affected by any spraying, but then again, I never heard of them spraying insecticide on the alfalfa.  I know they use herbicides and your everyday run of the mill pig & cow dookie for fertilizer.

[combover]

Yeah not sure on the cheimcals used. I do know they spray for them every spring  usually before the first cutting.  It may not even be an issue cause I would think it would be pretty common knowledge if there was.

[jdpro5010]

I know the one they used to use (and maybe still do) around here was called Dimethoate if I remember right.  It wipes out everything in the insect world that I am aware of, but it's use is way before bloom.  I would lock the girls up that day (or two) for sure!

[BjornBee]

Most farmers cut alfalfa before it has a chance to bloom. And if they do spray, it normally is prior to the flowers blooming.

If the farmer has good weather to spray it, they normally have good weather to cut it.

BTW....most alfalfa honey comes from large seed production farms. Where the spray needs are different that a farmer cutting it for feed. The average beekeeper usually does not get much alfalfa honey.

[bassman1977]

The average beekeeper usually does not get much alfalfa honey.

Yeah, no kidding.  All that alfalfa back there and no honey to show from it.  Ours is cut for feed prior to bloom.