The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1922-04-20
POISON PROBLEM
OF BEEKEEPERS

, (By III. A. Scullen, Specialist in Bee
Culture, Oregon Agriculture College
/ in Better Fruit.)
This Is Offered, not because the
writer IS authority on the problem oil
spray poison which has apparently de-
stroyed so many bees in the apple dis
tricts OF Washington the past year and
previous years, but rather with the
hope that the readers of Better Fruit
may, by observation and study, assist
IN finding some solution for the prob
lem.
| That this is a problem which is of
vital interest to the fruit producer, as
well as the honey producer, need
hardly be emphasized. Many of the
more important fruit districts of the
states OF Washington, Oregon, and
Idaho are fast becoming destitute of
bees since the commercial beekeeper
is moving away, and the few isolated
hives remaining are being killed off.
In addition to this, the various native
wild bees, which assist to some extent
In pollination, are doubtless being
affected by the poison.
In an effort to determine the extent
OF the damage to the beekeepers and
to learn, if possible, the source of the
danger, questionaire was sent to 1892
beekeepers in the orchard districts OF
Washington in 1919. Reports were
received from 107 beekeepers, who re-
ported total of $3.50 colonies. Forty
seven beekeepers reported trouble from
spray poison. Their estimated finan-
cial loss was $50 from colonies com
pletely killed and their estimated lossf
from the 1919 crop OF honey was
S43, ,66l or a total OF approximately
$4,000.
One very interesting fact brought
out by the question as to how far from
sprayed orchards the poisoned beee
were located, was that out of So apia-
ries represented, 43 we're one-half
mile or less from sprayed orchards.
The greatest distance poisoned bees
were from sprayed orchards was two
miles. 1t was also of interest to note
that several uninjured apiaries were in |
or near sprayed orchards. A further |
study OF the management practiced in |
such orchards may assist in finding
solution, in part at least, of the prob
lem.
Replies from the questionable, as
well as personal observations, have
shown that a certain amount of loss
has resulted from both the calyx
spray and the second lead arsenic
spray. Some reports indicate that still
later sprays have also been serious
with the bees. 1t is also important TO
note that poisoning seems to occur
both during the nectar secretion and
while there is a dearth of nectar.
There, therefore, seems to be three
Dossible sources of danger: (l) The {
bloom of the apple; ~ the bloom of 1
he clover crop and other plants under
he trees, such as dandelion, and (3) [
he moist spray on the foliage both of I
he trees and underlying vegetation. {
There is some evidence that poison |
s being carried into the hive on the |
,ollen colleced either from the apple t
,loom or from the bloom of vegetation q
inder the trees.
The Washington Experiment Station :.
now carrying on experimental work
Vith various repellants, and it il hoped
hat some substance of practical value
7ill be discovered as well as other inn
ortant means of eliminating the
rouble.
The symptoms OF spray poison seem
be especially noticeable in the
lorning when the surse bees are seen
rawling about over the ground in
'ont OF the hive In considerable num-
ers, and In more or less weakened
)nditlon. Some report evidence of
yelling and dysentary, also. Many
the field bees doubtless die before
saching home. Since, however, it is
simple matter TO send samples to
ee Culture Office at Washington for
lalysis, minor symptoms are less i'm
ortapt. The brood is also affected
ther by direct poisoning or by me-
ect due to the loss of nurse bees or
9TH. Some report the loss of queens
so.
In view of our limited observations,
lly a few general recommendations
n be made:
First. Commercial bee yards should
moved to a distance greater than
70 miles from the orchard before
raging is started. This is expensive
d should not be necessary.
Second. Late application of calyx
ray, giving special attention to late
d irregular blooming varieties of APP
Third. A system OF management
the cover crop, which will not
ow heavy foliage or blooming under
, trees during spraying.
Fourth. When the poisoning occurs
a dearth OF nectar some of the dan
: might have been averted by feed
|. Some have reported success by
s method.
7iith. The use of a repellent in the
'ay, such as has been used in
Iited way in Gipsy and Brown-tail
ltrol in Massachusetts,, has been
,gested. This method of control
sents several problems not the least
which is the Introduction of some
ng into the spray which would re-
the bees, but not the moth larva. =
.eather toe caps and copper toes for
Is at Smiths Champion Shoe Repair