It's good that we are discussing the effects of chemicals on honeybees. Gardeners are some of the first to see the effects of commercial pesticides and herbicides on wildlife. We can find better ways.
Thanks to all for the kind comments on our work.
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eta: I haven't found a list per se, but there are many articles to be found on bees and pesticides/herbicides on Google.
We stopped using all pesticides and herbicides many years ago. People used to say that Roundup was safe. We didn't believe
that it was and we didn't use it. Now studies are questioning its safety. Our valley has been agricultural for centuries. Used to be apples and pears - now it's grapes for wine. Some of the vineyard owners have been receptive to a small but vocal group that have protested the use of the dangerous stuff. A typical procedure when land was prepared for vineyards was to cover it with black plastic (we're talking acres of land) and pump methyl bromide under the plastic. This killed everything for nearly a foot down. Earthworms and beneficial organisms included. That isn't done anymore, thanks to the vocal minority, which is edging toward the majority. I just hope it isn't too late. The earth needs defenders.
The good news is that we have bees everywhere on our land!
An article on the subject:
http://blogs.berkeley.edu/2013...
Henhouse- We've done the Capitola Arts Festival for years - maybe you saw our work there? (we've cut back on doing this and some other shows, since we're doing eldercare for my 98 yr. old mom.)
