With the new and rather damning study results that have come from Purdue University and the USDA, I heard from other Beeks that there is going to be a hearing in the Beltway with the EPA regarding Neo Nicotinoid pesticides in the next couple weeks. I have seen references to this on Sierra Club sites, but as of yet, I have been unable to locate the actual dates and times. I want to know if now is the time for open commentary from the public.
Acetamiprid, Clondiathin, Dinotefuran, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, Nitenpyram. Those are the Neonics.
Thiamethoxam belongs to the thianicotinyl subclass that is highly water soluable and readily translocated into plant tissue--meaning that as a systemic pesticide it is highly mobile in water and easily circulates within the tissues of plants treated or exposed to contaminated soil or water. The only one listed as a Pan-Bad Actor Chemical.
All have the potential to persist in water and from what I have read, all persist in the soil for at least 2 years. But the lack of studies on these and other pesticides insures that we won't know that for sure their effects on water sources, for a while. Hence the plausible deniability that is used in the absence of studies showing actual risks to the environment and even humans. This is a common tactic in our country regarding chemicals and pesticides. In our country if there is no study, then there is no evidence--therefore the substance in question must be safe!
{makes perfect sense doesn't it!}
Dinotefuran is the parent chemical of clondiathin. And it is listed as HIGHLY TOXIC to Bees. They list honey bees, but really--all bees, wasps and ants are related. They are all in the Hymenoptera Family. This includes known pests like termites, carpenter ants, and of course yellow jackets and hornets. But this family of chemicals will also kill beneficial insects like honey bees, bumble bees, Mason bees and other ground dwelling bees.
What caught my eye while researching this information recently: the list of products available for use in residential areas. Golf Lawn Chemicals. I know--what could be nicer, more pleasant that a perfect sea of soft, green grass. Trimmed like the mustachio of a 19th Century Dandy; nurtured, watered, cultivated-- an emerald jewel in your suburban neighborhood!
Except that from an ecological perspective, that sea of grass that you cultivated around your house is the outside version of a sterile hospital surface. Before the builders bulldozed the trees and shrubs, and pushed around the soil to make it perfectly even, there were probably countless flowers blooming there at different times in the season, as well as nest sites.
Some probably so small and non-colorful, you and I would be hard pressed to see them, but the pollinators knew they were there. Unlike grasses, these "weeds" were major, diverse sources of pollen and nectar that were necessary to support the insect population in that area which in turn supports the birds, amphibians, reptiles and some insectivorous mammals.
Some of the larger colorful flowers drive lawn enthusiasts crazy: Dandelions [a major source of early pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinators during early spring, late fall and in droughts], violets, wild heath-asters, clovers, plaintain, chickweed, henbit, crown and beards, Vetch, sour grass, wood sorrel, and the much hated thistle! What a lawn enthusiast perceive when they see these plants: Lawn Interrupted!
What pollinators see? Food and places to lay eggs. And before you get all freaked out imagining Star Ship Troopers with bug nests under your house, I am talking about butterflies, little flying jewels known as sweat bees and cuckoo wasps, lady beetles, hummingbird moths, and sometimes even humming birds.
I guess that is why I always found it ironic that "Nature Loving" people move into a suburban house, rip all the flowers up and then hang a single humming bird feeder to show their appreciation of ma nature. And then complain continuously when starving bees and wasps are on it all the time trying to make up for the loss of food sources.
The lawn is simple. But what it displaces is complex. And what we put on it, is contributing to the collapse of our honey bees. Specifically Dinotefuran which is marketed to professional pest control companies and private home owners specifically as a *Systemic Pesticide that is broadly applied to the lawn and garden as granules, dust, aerosols, and soil drenches. [remember--it persists in the soil and water and is exuded by the plants in pollen, nectar and guttation--increasing viral and fungal load in bees, as well as disrupting their nervous systems]
Sometimes used as roach bate and fly bait, and termiticides, now sold as broad spectrum lawn and landscape treatments.
People buy these products and see only the target insects and think-that is probably all it kills--the bad wasps, the bad ants etc., They don't realize that these chemicals kill much more than that. That insects come in closely related families and while some might be a nuisance to us, when we invade their territories or create the perfect nursery for them--but that in the greater scheme things, beyond our comfort zone, these tiny creatures actually serve a very important purpose as the foundation of our terrestrial food-web. The landlubber counterpart to krill and plankton.
Sometimes we need these chemicals to control disease vectors. Unfortunately though, most people I have met, will spray it if they see it. We overuse pesticides the same way we overuse antibiotics--as a culture.
In our attempt to maintain the perfect golf lawn, or in some cases stop invasive species like Emerald Ash Borers and Stink Bugs--we are poisoning our beneficial insects too. In the case of our bees, we are causing their eventual extinction. This is stupid and unnecessary.
Every third piece of food you put in your mouth is pollinated by bees. And not just honey bees. Bumble Bees, squash bees, even some syrphid flies as well as butterflies and moths, beetles, bats, and birds. As much as we like to look at these animals, because many are beautiful, we actually need them for more than just ecological eye candy.
Because when they are gone--we will be hand pollinating our crops with ladders and paint brushes. This is happening already in China where in some areas there are no bugs and no birds or amphibians at all. They have been poisoned, those niches are now empty
But what many people do not think about--who pollinates the wild foods for our wildlife in our parks and wild spaces? The same insects and animals that pollinate our domesticated crops.
Everything that eats fruits, and nuts of any kind [that are not wind pollinated] is dependent on pollinators for this service.
So I hope that some will consider making their Sea of Grass less prominent. Shrink it down to a smaller space, and plant some pollen and nectar sources to help mitigate the loss of habitat and food. You can even save on water by xeriscaping, and create a beautiful and tranquil habitat for yourself.
Don't be so afraid of bees. I know sometimes that is easier said than done. They can be very intimidating. But with some patience you can get used to them and get to know them and not be so frightened of them.
So here are some tips.
Avoid wearing scents that contain citrus notes outside, especially lemon grass. These are highly attractive to bees and wasps. They will get on you to investigate that smell--and then you freak out and it sort of goes down hill from there.
If one lands on you, take a deep breath and don't swat or swing. If you upset a bee or wasp or squish one, they immediately release a pheromone that signals others to attack. One sting is bad, but if you squish it, expect more!
If you feel you are being investigated by more than one, slowly, deliberately back away. I put my head down a bit to protect my eyes. Bees will often give you a warning by buzzing close to you loudly. If you take the hint, then usually nothing will come of it. If you flail--stand by to stand by.
If you find a honey bee colony or swarm--don't spray it. Don't disturb it. Call your local county extension and see if you can get a bee keeper to remove that swarm. Honey bee swarms are not aggressive because they have no territory or brood to defend. So just leave them be, and let someone who has some experience help you.
Removal of colonies, especially cut outs of trees and houses will cost you money. Don't try to do it yourself --you need a bee suit otherwise you could end up stung to death. {this is a mistake people make--why? I don't know because it seems obvious}. Because a colony [which is NOT as swarm] has a territory--a nest if you will with brood [babies] and honey [food] to defend from other bees, ants, possums, skunks, bears, mice, woodpeckers, and people! All bees, even docile domesticated honey bees will attack if they feel threatened. So leave them alone and get some assistance.
And Honey Bees NEVER nest in the ground. Small yellow and black buzzing insects in the ground are usually wasps, if they are hairy, then they are probably bumble bees.
Some squash bees and sunflower bees also live in the ground, but are not generally aggressive and rarely sting.
If you take the time to sit outside and watch the flowers in the late morning, you will see a multitude of pollinators. You will be shocked by the diversity of life, the colors, the behaviors and variety of shapes and sizes.
You will see lady bugs, bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, flies that mimic bees and wasps, beetles that do the same, you might also see humming birds, and even other animals like crab spiders that feed on pollinators.
I am hoping that we can do away with using NeoNicotinoids. At least on the scale we using them now. I would like to see them gone from our corn fields, out of our soil in the next five years. Maybe that can happen. Maybe not. I don't have much faith in the EPA or our Do-Nothing Plutocratic Congress.
But you--as an individual home owner and resident--you can help by not using these products as broad spectrum pesticides and lawn applications. Maybe you aren't ready to go all organic yet, but doing just these couple things would be a giant step in the right direction.