Each thread is organized with the latest dates first. Please be aware that information changes over time. That provided in earlier discussions may no longer be current; it is displayed as originally published. Furthermore, the author of APIS is not responsible for articles written by others that are linked here. The main intent is to provide historical perspective and a wider view of issues.

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Pesticides is a generic term used for chemicals that kill pests. Most animals are insects; therefore, a large class of pesticides is one that kills insects, insecticides. Although beneficiall to a great many agriculturalists, insecticides have been problematic to beekeepers ever since they became widespread in use. A publication on pesticides and how to protect bees is available at http://hammock.ufl.edu/txt/fairs/31545.

Pesticides, however, and insecticides in general have also been beneficial to beekeepers in several areas. This has particularly true now that Varroa mites have appeared on the scene. For now beekeepers must use these chemicals inside the beehive in the hopes of killing mites, but not adversely affecting bees. This is a fine balancing act that can be catastrophic should it get out of balance. Two things can happen that are disadvantageous; bees can die and bee products can become contaminated.

Thus, there is no black and white, use or nouse pesticide policy. They can be both harmful or beneficial, depending on how they are employed. A better technology is on the horizon in much of agriculture called biological control. This has yet to reach the beekeeper, however, except in one product, Certan®, which is specific for wax moth control, but is no longer on the market.

EPA sets tolerance level for coumaphos in beeswax and honey, September 2000.

July High school study: follow up comments, August 2000.

High school study: no pesticides found in honey, July 2000.

Testing for coumaphos using Adpen Labs, March 2000.

Apicure® based on formic acid becomes labeled for mites, February 2000.

Check-Mite+® label approved, February 2000.

Organic acids, essential oils and taste, January 2000.

Fluvalinate's effects on queens and drones, January 2000.

Worker protection standard issues cannot be ignored by the beekeeper, August 1999.

The Nemesis Effect; introductions out of control, May 1999.

Determining relative toxicity of pesticides (LD50), March 1999.

Closer examination of Varroa becoming resistant to pesticides, February 1999.

Gaucho® loses label in France. Imidicloprid also affects bumblebees, January 1999.

Limited resources and resistance to pesticides, January 1999.

Approval of coumaphos as section 18 exemption, January 1999.

Closer examining of beekeeper pesticide applications, December 1998.

Florida Mosquito Control, March 1998.

Bees at little risk from protein-based insecticide baits used to kill Mediterranean fruit flies in Tampa, June 1997.

Varroa found resistant in Fluvalinate (Apistan®) in France, March 1997.

Discussion of fluvalinate accumulating in the world's beeswax supply, August 1996.

Managing fluvalinate for Varroa control, February 1995.

Major discussion of resistance to pesticides, November 1994.

Fluvalinate resistance and contamination of hive products, Israeli study, May 1994.

Unapproved use of fluvalinate in Georgia, inspections, April 1994.

Dr. Lensky's comments on fluvalinate use in Israel, January 1994.

Resistance to pesticides; focus on fluvalinate, November 1993.

The alternative pesticide, Miticur® withdrawn from the market, October 1993.

Agricultural ethics and chemical use, August 1993.

EPA office looks at pesticide efficacy problems, April 1993.

Discussion of alternate disease treatments, January 1993.

First evidence of fluvalinate becoming ineffective; resistance building up, October 1992.

Feedback from Florida inspectors: extender patties; formic acid; management, July 1992.

Soaps as insecticides; kills bees too, May 1992.

Long-term use of fluvalinate; sublethal doses, April 1992.

Oils as insecticides to kill nuisance honey bees, December 1990 .

Discussion of beekeepers on the pesticide treadmill, April 1989.

Proper use of aldicarb (Temik® in citrus, December 1988.

Historical analysis of resistance to pesticides, August 1988.

Use of aldicarb (Temik®) in citrus, August 1988.

Discussion of greed and pesticide use, May 1988.

Discussion of pesticide effects on bee larvae, March 1988.

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© 1997 M.T. Sanford, "All Rights Reserved"