Oregon Public Broadcasting has information and pictures of the Oregon Bee Kill site. Last Friday, the Linden trees were draped with Black Netting to exclude bees from the insecticide-contaminated Linden flowers. We also learn from OPB of a group planning memorial services on Sunday, June 30, 2013. Public demonstrations of concern send an important message to our government regulators, pest management companies and businesses who use pest management services. In general, people want to solve a problem but they don’t want to receive a public “black eye” in the process. Public expression of concern encourages review of practices and improvements.
It is important that the EPA review the label instructions and the approved uses. At the very least, the label must be rewritten to indicate that spraying trees while in bloom is unacceptable. Individuals who find large numbers of dead bees can file a report to EPA. EPA monitors reports of bee kills and solicits reports from bee keepers and the public on its website. Bee kills may go unreported so the EPA may not have the information it needs to understand the extent of a problem or to make a case for new rules. A vigilant public is important. It is important that reports of bee kills are accurate so that time and effort that should go to investigating real problems are not wasted on false reports.
“Toxic” Linden Trees Covered With Black Netting to Exclude Bees
Reblogged this on Science on the Land and commented:
argylesock says… Such bitter irony. Trees sprayed with a bee-killing insecticide have been draped in black netting to keep insects out. Here are calls for better labelling of the insecticide. I say, how about banning this insecticide?
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