Cooperative Living May 2015 - 19

instructions. He adds, " Some insecticides
are more lethal to bees; Sevin,
for example, is extremely toxic to
honeybees. Also pollinators are generally
more active in the morning, so
delaying [using pesticides] until the
late afternoon or early evening will
reduce exposure. "
Tignor says going organic can
reduce or eliminate the use of
synthetic pesticides. Using pesticides
post-bloom also will not impact
pollinators as much, as they look for
the flower part of plants. Additionally,
you can choose plants known to
attract pollinators (see sidebar). Since
honeybees get their nourishment from
nectar and pollen, planting a diverse
variety of flowers and plants in your
garden will help.
Despite the losses, Tignor says he
remains optimistic.
" Not everyone [beekeepers] is
losing 30 percent of bees, that's the
average for the entire beekeeping
population, " he points out. " We are
seeing more beekeeping groups
sponsoring introductory beekeeping
classes. We are seeing people [beekeepers]
frustrated and getting out
[of beekeeping], but there are people
right behind them wanting to get into
it, and some classes are even turning
[prospective beekeepers] away
because they don't have enough room
to accommodate them. "
Mattiaccio says he doesn't expect
bees to disappear anytime soon, but
he believes the cost of food will rise
because pollinating prices are going
up dramatically.
" Pollinators are also staying in
locations, so more farmers will compete
for those bees. If they don't get
bees, there will not be a crop, which
will drive food prices up, " he explains.
Clayton says, " Before the 1980s it
was a pleasure keeping bees. If you
lost 10 percent of your colonies that
was average. Then everything, the varroa
mite, the small hive beetle, started
hitting. Today if you lose 30 percent,
40 percent, 50 percent, you are lucky. "
Despite the losses, he adds, " I will
maintain my bee colonies as long as
my pocketbook can afford it. But if
this problem [honeybee losses] cannot
be resolved, we are in a heap of
trouble. " n
May 2015/www.co-opliving.com
What You Can Do to Help:
" We have no control over dry weather, but people should be aware that we can
augment what nature is not giving us, like planting flowers beneficial to pollinators and
making sure they are properly watered, " says Keith Tignor, biologist and state apiarist
with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Tignor says major " honey plants " in Virginia include aster, sweet clover, goldenrod,
tulip trees, poplar trees and whitewood, sourwood, sorrel tree, titi, black locust, false
acacia, and yellow locust.
Citizens can select plants known to attract pollinators in their area. To determine
which plants are best for your region, go to: pollinator.org/guides.htm and enter your
zip code for area-specific information.
For More Information:
* Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: www.vdacs.virginia.gov.
* Local extension offices provide information on planting and the Master Gardener
programs. Find yours at www.ext.vt.edu.
* Virginia Pesticide Safety website: www.vapesticidesafety.com. This website not only
contains information about proper pesticide use, it also contains information about
home, lawn and garden pests and options to manage them.
* Virginia Pesticide Waste Disposal Program: www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pesticides/
disposal.shtml. This program assists producers, licensed pesticide dealers and pest control
firms, golf courses and homeowners in the proper disposal of unwanted pesticides.
* Virginia State Beekeepers Association: www.virginiabeekeepers.org.
* For information about getting started in beekeeping, contact: VABees@vdacs.virginia. gov.
* For information about Hungry Hill Farm: www.hungryhillhoney.com.
* For information about Rock Hill Honey Bee Farms: www.rockhillhoneybeefarms.com. n
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http://www.pollinator.org/guides.htm http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov http://www.ext.vt.edu http://www.vapesticidesafety.com http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pesticides/ http://www.virginiabeekeepers.org http://www.hungryhillhoney.com http://www.rockhillhoneybeefarms.com

Cooperative Living May 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Cooperative Living May 2015