All posts in “bees”

Recent question on Pest Control…

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probestpestmanagementDSC06525qq   Ask Dr. Bug……………

Last week someone mentioned they had flying bugs in their home, they brought in some samples and they turned out to be Whiteflies. I immediately put on my detective hat and began to ask questions. Had they brought in any plants recently and bingo that was the answer I thought I would hear? A lot of times if we just think about what conditions may have changed and we may get to the right answer.

Whiteflies usually occur in groups on the undersides of leaves. All stages suck plant juice and can damage the plant if numbers are high enough. A few years ago someone had a similar occurrence and they had a potted plant at their front door. Every time they opened the door the whiteflies got sucked right into the home.

Got a question or need some help to identify something, send it to [email protected] and I’ll help to identify and give you some options on control.

Have you ever witnessed a swarm?

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A swarm occurs when its time to divide the colony.

 

probestpestDSC06743      probestpestmanagementDSC06746

Have you ever seen a swarm, maybe ants, termites or honeybees? Comment below.

Bees are being used to fight poverty.

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An excellent article “Using bees to fight poverty“, appeared in the Christian Science Monitor by Cathryn J. Prince. I think this is a great way to produce extra food and maybe make some extra cash in places where cash or food is of great concern.

Some key items, they only go to places when asked and they help to teach people the trade or to increase honey production. Great job!

46_Honey Bee

Photo by PPMA

 

Carpenter bees, don’t know wood from foam?

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Bugs in general don’t have any idea whether it is wood or foam, they probably just think it might be a good place to call home. I’ve seen termites use foam as an avenue into a structure and I’ve seen carpenter ants tear up the foam used as insulation. So it didn’t really surprise me when I noticed the damage from carpenter bees. It is extremely difficult to stop them from doing damage to foam, with wood you can paint it and frequently that deters them but not so with these bees and foam.

Yikes, how did that get in there?

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probestpestmanagement537

Rats and mice nomally can squeeze through small opening (mice – dime and rats – quarter), I think this guy just had a bad day. I suppose it ate some bait or got bit by something, cause it looks like it has some room to wiggle. Just a caution on mice/rats, rodents in general they have teeth and aren’t afraid to use them. They will gnaw on electrical wiring around pool pumps, car engines and equipment of all sorts. By the way this also goes for rabbits, they will also go after wiring. So what precautions can you take:

  1. Check you home monthly for signs of pests, I know I say it often but eventually you might listen to my advice.
  2. Check for holes or loose screening, including those weep holes at the roofline.
  3. If you see bees flying in and out, check it out but use caution.
  4. Don’t stack firewood against the house.
  5. Don’t let trees or bushes touch the house, super highway for rodents and ants.
  6. Have a Professional Termite company do an inspection for termites.

Africanized Bees swarm more often, is this strange?

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Africanized honeybees have become the dominant type of honey bee for beekeeping in Central America and in tropical areas of South America due to them outcompeting the European subspecies, and there are claims that they have improved productivity.

Tends to swarm more frequently and go farther than other types of honey bees. The swarm above was very limited maybe 50 bees.

Defends its nest agressively, very defensive. May sence a threat from 50 – 100 feet away from nest.

Respond more quickly to a threat, sending more bees if necessary – more bees = the more stings. May chase up to 1/4 mile or more.

Will move nest if food becomes scarce.

What’s happening in your neighborhood?

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This story scared me and I wanted to bee sure everyone paid attention to issues in your neighborhood. This story takes place in Florida but could easily be Arizona,  Texas or any place where bees can make a home. This home in Port Orange, Florida had been plagued in the past but now that it is vacant it continues to be a problem in their neighborhood. I suggest that we all have something at stake in a neighborhood where there might be a foreclosed or vacant home. Here are my tips to stay safe when it comes to bees:

  • Check your home monthly especially in the Spring and Fall for unwanted guests.
  • Check the roof line and if you have a crawlspace make sure all doors are sealed.
  • Home seal your home.
  • Check the door thresholds, make sure they are sealed.
  • Check screens, repair or adjust if needed.
  • Check out building as well, sheds, cottages etc.
  • Bee work may not be a Do It Yourself (DIY) project, use caution or call a Pest Management Professional.

DIY   or maybe NOT!

Honeybee’s having a rough time, EPA may have to investigate

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Federal Bill Suspending Neonicotinoid Use Forthcoming

 An Oregon Congressman last week announced plans to introduce federal legislation suspending certain uses of neonicotinoid pesticides until the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reviews these chemicals and makes a new determination about their proper application and safe use. The measure specifically suspends the use of neonicotinoids for foliar treatments on bee attractive plants, soil applications and seed treatments within 180 days.

Congressman Earl Blumenaer’s Save America’s Pollinators Act was precipitated by a massive bee kill last month in suburban Portland that state investigators determined was caused by an application of a neonicotinoid pesticide application. here to read Congressman Blumenaer’s press release announcing the Congressman’s intention to drop the bill.

Statementby National Pest Management Association (NPMA) (I wanted to personally share this message as a former beekeeper I’m greatly concerned about these deaths).
Most bees, including bumblebees, are beneficial insects. As such, our industry is firmly committed to the protection of bee health and the vital role bees play in pollinating flowers and crops, thereby strengthening our food supply. The death of tens of thousands of bees earlier this month is undoubtedly an important loss. An investigation is currently underway and although we cannot speculate on the pesticide application process in question, the event stresses the necessity for label instructions to be strictly followed at all times. Pesticide labels are mandates, not recommendations, set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency after years of rigorous testing.

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