Poisoning

Control of pesticide regulations, 1986: Beekeepers must be informed 48 hours before spraying activity.

Bees may come into contact via oral ingestion, skin (integument), and breathing.

The source of contamination is direct contact with flowers, drift, or being caught in the spray when they are flying.

Farmers best spray before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m.

Symptoms

  1. Loss of bees

  2. Bees refused admission to the hive, and poisoned bees are ejected

  3. Mound of dead bees below the entrance

  4. Bees with their tongues protruding

  5. Bees dying like bluebottles, buzzing on their back

  6. Colony becomes bad-tempered

  7. Staggering, shivering, crawling around

Investigation

Take note of the time, place, and map showing the relation between the area of contamination and the apiary. Take photos of the suspect crop and colony, including dead bees,

Send samples - freeze if there is likely to be a delay of bees to the National Bee Unit (NBU): 3 plastic bags, each containing 300 bees.

Action/Note

  • Observations of each hive

  • estimate of dead bees (5000 bees weigh 454g)

  • weather conditions

  • discuss the event with the farmer

  • Get contact details of all involved

  • Contact other beekeepers at risk of spray contamination.

  • Give affected colonies a sugar feed.