The Myth of
Bees & Pesticides
Exposing Misconceptions About
the Imaginary Threat
of Pest Control Products
Overview
RESEARCHERS HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED A SINGLE CAUSE OF OVER-WINTERING HONEY BEE LOSSES.
Moreover, RESEARCHERS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY A SINGLE CAUSE OF BEE COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER.
FORCE OF NATURE — MYTH-BUSTING — BEE COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER — 2010 12 16 — US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY — NO DATA ( Report )
Under normal field use, THE EXPOSURE TO BEES IS AT VERY LOW LEVELS, FAR TOO LOW TO CAUSE HARMFUL EFFECTS.
There is NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST A LINK between NEONICOTINOID INSECTICIDES and long-term honey bee losses.
The weight of the scientific evidence clearly shows that neonicotinoid insecticides DO NOT AFFECT LONG-TERM COLONY HEALTH.
Most experts agree that, in recent years, honey bee decline is the result of a COMBINATION OF FACTORS, including parasitic mites and diseases.
Recent scientific research points toward a combination of PARASITIC MITES ( specifically the Varroa mite ) and PATHOGENS ( such as Nosema and viral diseases ) as MAIN FACTORS.
Although some neonicotinoid insecticides are toxic to bees upon direct contact ( as are many insecticides ), they are used in a way that MINIMIZES ANY DIRECT EXPOSURE TO BEES, such as SEED TREATMENT.
SEED TREATMENT INSECTICIDES have been used for a decade WITH ALMOST NO INCIDENCES OF NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON BEES by MINIMIZING POTENTIAL EXPOSURES of non-target insects such as bees.
Independent, long-term, controlled field tests have repeatedly shown NO EFFECTS on bee mortality, weight gain, worker longevity, brood development, honey yield, and over-winter survival relative to bees in areas where TREATED SEED was not used.
The AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY HAS A VESTED INTEREST IN PROTECTING honey bees and is committed to thoroughly researching and protecting bee health.
Facts About Honey Bee Health and Pesticides
August 2012
CropLife Canada
Media Release
Selected and Adapted Excerpts
CropLife Canada is the trade association representing manufacturers, developers and distributors of pest control products, including those designed specifically for urban use.
POLLINATORS in Canada, such as HONEY BEES and WILD BEES, pollinate many fruits, vegetables, field crops such as canola, and flower gardens.
They are an essential part of a robust agricultural system.
Honey bee health can be affected by a number of different factors, including parasites ( such as the Varroa mite ), disease, and other stress factors ( such as habitat loss, poor nutrition, climate change, and chemical exposure ).
The AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY HAS A VESTED INTEREST IN PROTECTING POLLINATORS and is committed to thoroughly researching and protecting bee health.
What Is Causing Elevated Over-Wintering Honey Bee Losses In Canada ?
Over the past four or five years, OVER-WINTERING HONEY BEE LOSSES HAVE BEEN HIGHER THAN NORMAL ( in the range of 20 to 40 per cent nationally, compared to the more typical 15 per cent ).
Losses of bee colonies have been VARIABLE among the provinces.
RESEARCHERS HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED A SINGLE CAUSE OF THESE LOSSES.
Recent scientific research points toward a combination of PARASITIC MITES ( specifically the Varroa mite ) and PATHOGENS ( such as Nosema and viral diseases ) as MAIN FACTORS.
Other possible factors include …
… lack of genetic diversity, climate change, pest control products, and stress-inducers such as colony transport, poor nutrition, weather, and starvation.
Nonetheless, early Canadian figures from 2011/2012 indicate a SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN OVER-WINTERING LOSSES, likely due to the mild winter and better disease control.
What Is Bee Colony Collapse Disorder ( BCCD ) ?
Numerous beekeeping experts believe that Bee Colony Collapse Disorder ( BCCD ) symptoms have not been reported in Canada.
Bee Colony Collapse Disorder is a term used to describe a very specific set of symptoms, characterized by the SUDDEN DISAPPEARANCE OF WORKER BEES from a colony, leaving behind an apparently healthy queen and brood.
RESEARCHERS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY A SINGLE CAUSE OF BEE COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER.
Most experts agree that, in recent years, pollinator health decline is the result of a COMBINATION OF FACTORS, including parasitic mites and diseases.
Many researchers suspect that INVASIVE PARASITIC MITES have WEAKENED BEES’ DEFENSES, making them more susceptible to diseases or other environmental factors.
Bee Colony Collapse Disorder is a separate issue from over-wintering losses and acute poisonings.
While some over-wintering loss is normal, the levels experienced by some professional beekeepers in various parts of the world over the past seven years have raised concerns.
How Are Pest Control Products Regulated To Ensure They Do Not Harm Bees ?
All pest control products go through a RIGOROUS TESTING PROCESS to ensure THEY CAN BE USED WITHOUT CAUSING HARM TO HUMANS OR THE ENVIRONMENT.
This process includes more than 200 SEPARATE STUDIES that test a range of health and environmental impacts, including effects on bees.
The results of these studies help determine the instructions for use that appear on the product label.
As scientific information evolves, pest control products are continuously re-evaluated to ensure they meet the latest safety standards.
Is There Any Connection Between Neonicotinoid Insecticides And Long-Term Honey Bee Losses In Canada ?
There is NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST A LINK between neonicotinoid insecticides and long-term honey bee losses in Canada.
There is NO GEOGRAPHICAL CORRELATION between long-term bee losses and insecticide use.
Although some neonicotinoid insecticides are toxic to bees upon direct contact ( as are many insecticides ), they are used in a way that MINIMIZES ANY DIRECT EXPOSURE TO BEES.
Under normal field use, THE EXPOSURE TO BEES IS AT VERY LOW LEVELS, FAR TOO LOW TO CAUSE HARMFUL EFFECTS.
Independent, long-term, controlled field tests have repeatedly shown NO EFFECTS on bee mortality, weight gain, worker longevity, brood development, honey yield, and over-winter survival relative to bees in areas where treated seed was not used.
Many of these studies have been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences.
For example, a recent Canadian study by G. Christopher Cutler and Cynthia D. Scott-Dupree was published in the Journal of Economic Entomology, 100(3): pages 765-772 (2007).
What About Recent Studies That Claim Neonicotinoid Insecticides Are A Principle Cause Of Pollinator Decline ?
The weight of the scientific evidence clearly shows that neonicotinoid insecticides DO NOT AFFECT LONG-TERM COLONY HEALTH.
A few recent studies have claimed some impact on bees, but a careful evaluation of the research shows SIGNIFICANT ERRORS were made in the experimental design, or INCORRECT CONCLUSIONS were drawn from the data.
Unfortunately, these studies have received wide media attention.
Can Agriculture And Bees Really Co-Exist ?
Bees and pest control products are VERY MUCH COMPLEMENTARY ― both are essential to the success of agriculture.
More than one-third of the world’s food production comes from crops that depend on pollination.
Modern crop protection products are critical tools that farmers use to protect their crops from potentially devastating pests.
In fact, WITHOUT PEST CONTROL PRODUCTS, the world would LOSE AT LEAST 40 PER CENT OF ITS FOOD SUPPLY.
Our industry is committed to the developing products that allow Canadian farmers to grow food in an environmentally sustainable manner.
For example, SEED TREATMENT INSECTICIDES evolved as a way to protect seeds and crops while also MINIMIZING POTENTIAL EXPOSURES of non-target insects such as bees.
Indeed, these modern seed-applied insecticides have been used for a decade WITH ALMOST NO INCIDENCES OF NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON BEES.
Only small quantities of the insecticide are needed to coat the seed, which reduces the need to spray insecticides to control insects.
In fact, in contrast to a traditional spray treatment, where 100 per cent of a field is treated, LESS THAN 1 PER CENT OF THE FIELD IS TREATED WHEN A MODERN SEED TREATMENT IS USED.
This helps to reduce the exposure of pollinators and other beneficial insects ( as well as human and environmental exposures ) throughout the growing season.
Furthermore, in Canada, the climate is such that most years TREATED SEED IS PLANTED DURING A PERIOD WHEN BEES ARE NOT ACTIVELY FORAGING.
What Role Do Farmers Play In Ensuring Bees Are Protected From Insecticides ?
Farmers understand the tremendous importance of pollinators to the success of modern agriculture.
During planting, farmers can limit dust when pouring seed into the planter; properly dispose of empty seeds bags; and follow manufacturer recommendations.
Growers plant only during proper weather conditions, they take precautions when planting near flowering crops and they control flowering weeds in their fields prior to planting.
Anti-Pesticide
Lunatics Are
WRONG
About Bees
Overall, « links » and « causes »
between Bee Colony Collapse Disorder
and the insecticide Imidacloprid
are Enviro-Lunatic MYTHS !
Bee Colony Collapse Disorder Allegedly Caused by Imidacloprid
Anti-Pesticide Lunatics are THE LEAST QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE ANY ADVICE concerning pest control products.
It is a MYTH that pest control products somehow cause Bee Colony Collapse Disorder.
Anti-Pesticide Lunatics also ALLEGE, with NO SCIENTIFIC PROOF, that pest control products somehow cause cancer.
Since 2006, Anti-Pesticide Lunatics have ALLEGED that there is a « link » between the insecticide imidacloprid and the so-called disappearance of honey bees.
Imidacloprid is classified as a neonicotinoid insecticide, and is widely used for the control of insect pests in lawns, gardens, ornamental plants, and agriculture.
In their usual method of arriving at ignorant conclusions, the lunatics have somehow concocted the story that imidacloprid and other neonicotinoid insecticides were the reason for a phenomenon called Bee Colony Collapse Disorder ( BCCD ).
Of course, this is an Anti-Pesticide Lunatic MYTH !
Insecticides Threaten Useful Organisms ( ?!?! )
Insecticides are necessary to control serious pests of turf, such as White Grubs.
Anti-Pesticide Lunatics argue that the use of such products threatens useful organisms, such the birds and the bees.
The following is an example of a comment made about the Golf Industry in British Columbia ( B.C. ) ―
« At least one of those B.C. cases of Bee Colony Collapse Disorder is here on Vancouver Island, where new golf courses spring up by the month, it seems. They are all heavy users of imidacloprid and other insect[icides] and herbicides [ … ] it is no wonder Vancouver Island’s bee, butterfly, native frog and turtle populations are being decimated. »
This is WRONG !
FORCE OF NATURE — MYTH-BUSTING — BEE COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER — IMIDACLOPRID — SO-CALLED THREAT ( Report )
Winter ― The True Cause of Bee Colony Collapse Disorder
In 2010, America’s dwindling honey bee population was badly hit by the BITTER WINTER, the harshest in decades, with experts warning that WINTER LOSSES could be as high as 50 per cent.
Beekeepers normally lose around 10 per cent of their colonies DURING THE WINTER-TIME, when food stores are low and bees are confined to the hive.
But preliminary estimates indicated that in 2010, LOSSES were estimated between 30 to 50 per cent, said David Mendes, President of the American Beekeeping Federation.
The DECLINE in the global honey bee population, which was first observed in the United States in 2006, has showed no signs of abating, in a phenomenon that has baffled researchers and beekeepers.
Data from the Department of Agriculture show an ANNUAL DROP of 29 per cent drop in bee colonies, compared with 36 per cent decline in 2008 and 32 per cent in 2007.
FORCE OF NATURE — MYTH-BUSTING — BEE COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER — 2010 03 29 — WINTER THE TRUE CAUSE ( Report )
Summary of Theoretical Causes of Bee Colony Collapse Disorder
Since 2006, Bee Colony Collapse Disorder is a phenomenon in which commercial honey bees abruptly disappear, which is worrisome because many agricultural crops are pollinated by bees.
Anti-Pesticide Lunatics have concocted all sorts of « causes » for this phenomenon, hoping to collect PROFITS from CASH DONATIONS, ILLICIT BUSINESSES, UNQUALIFIED EMPLOYMENT, and GRANTS, quite often WITHOUT PAYING A SINGLE PENNY IN TAXES.
FORCE OF NATURE — MYTH-BUSTING — BEE COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER — CAUSES — PESTICIDE MYTH ( Report )
Theoretical Cause
Climate Change
Big Surprise !
Anti-Pesticide Lunatics believe so-called Global Warming is a « cause » of Bee Colony Collapse Disorder.
This is an Anti-Pesticide Lunatic MYTH !
However, there is no doubt that normal weather extremes are a significant cause.
For example, approximately ten per cent of bee colonies are annihilated during the winter, especially when food reserves are low and bees are confined to the hive.
GLOBAL WARMING – THE SCAM OF OUR LIFETIME ( Web-Page )
Theoretical Cause
Electromagnetic Radiation
Anti-Pesticide Lunatics have concocted the theory that cell phones and cell towers are « causes » for Bee Colony Collapse Disorder.
This is an Anti-Pesticide Lunatic MYTH !
Theoretical Cause
Genetically Modified Crops
Anti-Pesticide Lunatics have created the story that the pollen of genetically modified crops is toxic to bees.
This is also an Anti-Pesticide Lunatic MYTH !
Theoretical Cause
Beekeeping Practices
The beekeepers themselves may actually be the principal cause of Bee Colony Collapse Disorder.
Commercial honey bee mismanagement is likely a contributing factor that requires closer review.
A similar situation occurred in the 1990s in Eastern Canada, when Maple Syrup Producers blamed so-called Acid Rain for the decline of their mis-managed trees.
Theoretical Cause
Lack of Genetic Biodiversity
Nearly all Queen Bees, and subsequently all honey bees, descend from one of several hundred Breeder Queens.
This limited genetic pool may degrade the quality of Queen Bees used to start new hives, and result in honey bees that are significantly more susceptible to pests.
Theoretical Cause
Malnutrition
Wild honey bees forage on the diversity of flowers in their habitat, enjoying a variety of pollen and nectar sources.
By comparison, commercial honey bees are limited to foraging specific crops, such as blueberries, or cherries.
Honey bees fed on single crops, or limited varieties of plants, may suffer nutritional deficiencies that create stress on their immune systems.
Theoretical Cause
Migratory Beekeeping
Commercial beekeepers rent their hives to farmers, earning more from pollination services than they could ever make from honey production alone.
Hives are stacked on the back of tractor-trailers, covered, and driven thousands of miles.
For honey bees, orientation to their hive is vital to life, and being relocated creates stress.
Additionally, moving hives around the country potentially spreads pests as honey bees intermingle in the fields.
Theoretical Cause
Parasites and Pathogens
Known honey bee pests, such as American Foulbrood and Tracheal Mites, do not lead to Colony Collapse Disorder on their own, but it is suspected that they may make bees more susceptible to it.
Beekeepers fear Varroa Mites the most, because they transmit viruses in addition to the direct damage they inflict as a parasite.
The products used to control Varroa Mites further compromise the health of honey bees.
The answer to the Bee Colony Collapse Disorder puzzle might lie in the discovery of a new, unidentified pest or pathogen.
For example, researchers discovered a new species of Nosema in 2006.
Nosema ceranae has been found in the digestive tracts of some honey bees displaying symptoms of Bee Colony Collapse Disorder.
FORCE OF NATURE — MYTH-BUSTING — BEE COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER — 2012 01 05 — PHORID FLY EXPLAINS BEE DEATHS ( Report )
Theoretical Cause
Toxins in the Environment
Honey bee exposure to toxins in the environment warrants research since they may be a cause of Bee Colony Collapse Disorder.
Water sources may be unsafe for bees since they are treated to control other insects.
Household or industrial chemicals, through contact or inhalation, might impact foraging bees.
The possibilities for toxins in the environment make pinpointing a definitive cause difficult, but this theory requires attention by scientists.
Theoretical Cause
Pest Control Products
Anti-Pesticide Lunatics have alleged that there are « links » between the insecticide imidacloprid, and other neonicotinoid insecticides, and the so-called disappearance of commercial honey bees.
Since imidacloprid is widely used for the control of insect pests in lawns, gardens, ornamental plants, and agriculture, the lunatics have somehow concocted the story that imidacloprid and other neonicotinoid insecticides were the reason for the phenomenon of Bee Colony Collapse Disorder.
Of course, this is an Anti-Pesticide Lunatic MYTH !
The History of Imidacloprid
What’s the story on imidacloprid ?
Bayer has manufactured this systemic insecticide in Europe since 1991.
In 1995, the active ingredient imidacloprid, under the trade name Admire was granted temporary registration in Canada for the control of the insecticide-resistant Colorado Potato Beetle in Eastern Canada.
In 1999, imidacloprid was first registered in Ontario and Quebec under the trade name Merit for the control of European Chafer and Japanese Beetle larvae in turf.
In 2000, Nu-Gro Corporation was appointed by Bayer as the exclusive supplier of Merit.
In 2004, the registration of Merit was extended to British Columbia and other parts of Canada.
Today, imidacloprid is one of the best-selling insecticides in the world.
In 2007, the world-wide sales of imidacloprid, and other successors in its class, were reported at a staggering 8.6 BILLION DOLLARS.
Anti-Pesticide Lunatics have alleged that there are « links » between imidacloprid, and other neonicotinoid insecticides, and the so-called disappearance of commercial honey bees.
Since imidacloprid is widely used for the control of insect pests in lawns, gardens, ornamental plants, and agriculture, Anti-Pesticide Lunatics have concocted the story that imidacloprid and other neonicotinoid insecticides were somehow the reason for a phenomenon called Bee Colony Collapse Disorder.
Since 2006, Bee Colony Collapse Disorder is a phenomenon in which commercial honey bees abruptly disappear, which is worrisome because bees pollinate many agricultural crops.
Greedy and avaricious Anti-Pesticide Lunatics have concocted all sorts of « causes » for this phenomenon, hoping to attract profits from cash donations, illicit businesses, unqualified employment, and grants, quite often without paying a single penny in taxes.
Of course, overall, these « links » and « causes » are Anti-Pesticide Lunatic MYTHS !
When used preventively on small White Grubs in turf, imidacloprid provides excellent residual control, in excess of ninety per cent.
Applications that are soil-drenched have a low impact on earthworms and predatory insects.
There are NO measurable adverse effects on bees.
However, if a liquid application of imidacloprid is NOT soil-drenched, predatory insects are definitely affected, and bee colonies have been known to decline.
For years, beekeepers in France have alleged that imidacloprid, when it is used as a seed treatment for sun-flowers under the trade name Gaucho, has affected the behaviour of lots of bees by disrupting mobility, navigation, and feeding behaviour. [ ?!?! ]
Imidacloprid is a systemic insecticide that works its way from the sunflower seed through the plant.
Supposedly, it can also get into the pollen and the nectar.
The introduction of imidacloprid, and its successor, clothianidin, coincided, allegedly, with a significant drop in honey production.
According to National Union of French Beekeepers, the number of hives in France has plummeted from 1.45 million in 1996 to one million in 2003.
Between 1995 and 2001, the average production of honey went from seventy-five kg/hive down to thirty kg/hive.
This phenomenon became known as Bee Colony Collapse Disorder.
Guess what ?
Scientific studies concluded that the bees were not being affected by imidacloprid, but by a VIRAL DISEASE.
Guess what happened next ?
In 1999, the French government decided nevertheless to withdraw the use of imidacloprid as a sunflower seed treatment.
By the way, the bee problems continued for several years after the prohibition.
Predictably, the beekeepers suspected that residues are continuing to adversely affect their bees.
The Anti-Pesticide and Environmental-Terrorist Movement has gone berserk over this insecticide.
For example, imidacloprid has ranked as fifth on the Anti-Pesticide and Environmental-Terrorist BLACK LIST OF MOST HATED PEST CONTROL PRODUCTS ― next to DDT, 2,4-D, glyphosate, and chlorothalonil.
The issue of Bee Colony Collapse Disorder has spilled over into the United States, where the government has given this nonsense added credibility by deciding to initiate a Research Action Plan.
Additionally, the German Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety has suspended the approval of imidacloprid under the trade names Antarc, Chinook, Faibel, and Gaucho.
On June 16th, 2008, Greenpeace, an Environmental-Terrorist-Organization, issued a press release claiming that Bayer, the manufacturer of imidacloprid, has produced pest control products that are the so-called biggest threat to human health and the environment.
Other manufacturers on the Greenpeace list include ― Syngenta, Monsanto, and Dow Chemical.
On August 25th, 2008, German Coalition Against Bayer Dangers, another Environmental-Terror-Organization, brought a charge against Werner Wenning, chairman of the Bayer Board of Management.
German Coalition Against Bayer Dangers accuses Bayer of marketing dangerous insecticides that are leading to the mass deaths of bees all over the world.
Not surprisingly, the charges were introduced in cooperation with German beekeepers, who claim to have lost thousands of hives after poisoning by clothianidin, the successor to imidacloprid.
Meanwhile, the Government of Germany has prohibited the sale of these insecticides since May 2008.
On September 19th, 2008, the Government of Italy has prohibited the use of all insecticides classified as neonicotinoid, which include imidacloprid, clothianidin, and others.
FORCE OF NATURE — MYTH-BUSTING — BEE COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER — IMIDACLOPRID — HISTORY ( Report )
FORCE OF NATURE — MYTH-BUSTING — BEE COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER — IMIDACLOPRID — MORE HISTORY ( Report )
For the original copy of this Force Of Nature Report, go to the following link …
Here are previous reports about BEE COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER, just in case you missed them …
FORCE OF NATURE — MYTH-BUSTING — BEE COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER — 2012 01 05 — PHORID FLY EXPLAINS BEE DEATHS ( Report )
FORCE OF NATURE — MYTH-BUSTING — BEE COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER — 2010 12 16 — US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY — NO DATA ( Report )
FORCE OF NATURE — MYTH-BUSTING — BEE COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER — 2010 03 29 — WINTER THE TRUE CAUSE ( Report )
FORCE OF NATURE — MYTH-BUSTING — BEE COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER — CAUSES — PESTICIDE MYTH ( Report )
FORCE OF NATURE — MYTH-BUSTING — BEE COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER — IMIDACLOPRID — HISTORY ( Report )
FORCE OF NATURE — MYTH-BUSTING — BEE COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER — IMIDACLOPRID — MORE HISTORY ( Report )
FORCE OF NATURE — MYTH-BUSTING — BEE COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER — IMIDACLOPRID — SO-CALLED THREAT ( Report )
NORAHG has archived more information on The Pesticide Truths Web-Site …
THE PESTICIDE TRUTHS WEB-SITE
MYTH-BUSTING – BEES – CANCER – CHILDREN – POLLS – WATER ( Web-Page )
MYTH-BUSTING – CANCER, THE MYTH OF ( Web-Page )
MYTH-BUSTING – CANCER, THE MYTH OF – CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY – NO DIRECT PROOF PESTICIDES CAUSE CANCER ( Web-Page )
MYTH-BUSTING – PESTICIDE BANS – THE MYTHS ABOUT ANTI-PESTICIDE PROHIBITION ( Web-Page )
PESTICIDE BANS ARE A FARCE ( Report )
THE COMPLETE LIBRARY OF WEB-PAGES, REPORTS, & REFERENCES
