BEE NOTES: Nick Champlin of Bradford follows up on a recent RTS
on Colony Collapse Disorder occurring in the honey bee
population:
Nick, himself a beekeeper, writes, “An expert was quoted as
saying the bee disorder ‘may be contagious or the result of
exposure to a common risk factor. …'”
“Our bees are being exposed to a collection of relatively new,
super-powerful, nicotine-inspired insecticides, which have already
been banned throughout Europe, and are proven to cause confusion,
brain damage, and death in honey bees.
“Imidaclopril is one of these insecticides. It is available to
the homeowner and used commercially in many forms,” he writes,
adding it is sprayed in Bradford by one of the lawn care
companies.
One of its employees, he said, “pitched it to me as useful for
killing the bees and wasps that might damage my fruit trees! He
clumped all grubs and stinging insects together as dangerous
vermin; something a responsible homeowner would pay to have removed
from their property.”
“I hope the Round the Square’s message to ‘bee careful’ of
prowling bees and wasps doesn’t inspire a community discussion on a
‘bee and wasp problem’ akin to the bear problem. Our honey bees
would suffer.
“Insecticides are not tested by the FDA before approval. Testing
is carried out by the chemical manufacturers and labs in their
employ in an inherently and very often corrupted system. Trace
amounts of imidaclopril weakens bees and the varoa mite helps
spread disease. Many apiculturists share my belief that this is the
usual cause of CCD.”
FOR STINGS: Another reader passes along information about a very
natural way to treat bee stings. “Thankfully, I haven’t had a
chance to try it yet but my uncle has done it several times
successfully!”
The “cure”? A penny!
Our reader cited several instances where people had been stung
by a bee, and even a hornet. The solution, supposedly suggested by
a doctor, was to apply a penny to the spot for 15 minutes. Not only
does it take the sting away but treats the swelling and even the
redness.
How does this work? The doctor said the copper in the penny
somehow neutralizes the bite.
