Saving Bees From Pesticides

Colony collapse is probably due to a number of factors. One factor in the decline of the honey bee is the widespread use of pesticides.

Here are some common culprits:

• organophosphates (acephate, azinphos-methyl, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, dimethhoate, malathion, methamidophos and methyl parathion), which kill by disrupting brains and nervous systems.
• n-methyl carbamates (carbaryl and carbofuran), central nervous system attackers,
• Neonicotinoids (clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam), artificial forms of nicotine which act as neurotoxins.

Oregon State University just released a great report to help anyone identify and report bee poisoning. It seems that most bee poisoning happens when insecticides are applied to both bee-pollinated crops and to crops in fields adjacent to bee populations.

Image taken by Esther Anderson.

If you suspect bee poisoning (observe dead bees, agressive behavior in honey bees, lack of bees around bee crops, abnormal movement), contact:

The Washington Department of Agriculture Pesticide Divisions: 503-986-4635,

The Idaho Department of Agriculture: 208-332-8610,or,

The Oregon Department of Agriculture Pesticide Division: 503-986-4635.