Pesticide Issues
The Future: Pesticides and Fungicides
The Future: Pesticides and Fungicides Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First Published in ABJ in Dec. 2009 Dave Hackenberg once quipped that “”Beekeepers have become the ugly stepchild of agriculture.” Despite their general disregard for us, perhaps there are lessons that we can learn from our agricultural stepparents. Pest Resistance Management Beekeepers worldwide, in their exuberant use...
Pesticide Incident Reporting
Pesticide Incident Reporting Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First Published in ABJ in May 2012 The EPA needs to know if pesticides are causing “incidents” involving honey bee mortality. It is important for beekeepers to bring such incidents to the EPA’s attention, or they won’t know that there are problems! If your colonies experience a pesticide incident,...
The Extinction of the Honey Bee?
The Extinction of the Honey Bee? Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First Published in ABJ in July 2012 We call on you to vote to stop production and sale of neonicotinoid pesticides until and unless new independent scientific studies prove they are safe. The catastrophic demise of bee colonies could put our whole food chain in danger....
A New Large-Scale Trial of Clothianidin
A New Large-Scale Trial of Clothianidin Randy Oliver and Brett Adee First published in ABJ September 2012 The process for approving a new pesticide is similar to that of approving a new drug. In the case of a drug, randomized controlled clinical trials are run to demonstrate efficacy and safety. Then once the drug is...
Neonicotinoids: Trying To Make Sense of the Science Part 1
Trying to Make Sense of It All Look and You Shall Find It Looking at Both Sides of the Issue The Regulatory Gauntlet A Balancing Act Who Does the Testing? Academic versus Field Applicable Field Relevance Problems in Methodology and Interpretation Recent Studies References Neonicotinoids: Trying to Make Sense of the Science Part 1 Randy...
Testing of Bee Feed Syrups for Neonicotinoid Residues
Testing of Bee Feed Syrups for Neonicotinoid Residues Eric Mussen1 and Randy Oliver2 First Published in ABJ in August 2012 The widespread adoption of the systemic neonicotinoid insecticides has led a number of beekeepers to question whether the commercially available corn, beet, or cane sugar syrups might be contaminated with residues of those insecticides. Introduction...
Neonicotinoids: Trying To Make Sense of the Science – Part 2
Neonicotinoids: Trying to Make Sense of the Science Part 2 Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First published in ABJ September 2012 “Scientists have largely remained silent when the public discussion turns to the trade-off of benefits and risks from chemicals. They are often unwilling to engage controversial issues that could endanger their funding and research…The public interprets...
Sick Bees – Part 18F1: Colony Collapse Revisited – Pesticide Kills
Sick Bees Part 18F1 Colony Collapse Revisited Pesticide Kills Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First Published in ABJ in January 2013 Pesticides A Bit of History Nailing Down the Guilty Party Keep ’em Honest! Pesticides and CCD Making the Link Acknowledgements References As long as I’ve been keeping bees, one of our worst fears has been that...
Sick Bees – Part 18F2: Colony Collapse Revisited – Plant Allelochemicals
Sick Bees Part 18f2: Colony Collapse Revisited Plant Allelochemicals First published in ABJ February 2013 Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com Nature Is Not Nice Toxic Pollen and Nectar Definitions Have You Ever Noticed Plant Toxic Effects? What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger An Unintended Effect on Varroa? Self Medication Tritrophic Interactions Bee Detoxification of Allelochemicals Acknowledgements...
Sick Bees – Part 18F3: Colony Collapse Revisited – Keeping A Leaky Boat Afloat
Sick Bees Part 18f3: Colony Collapse Revisited Keeping A Leaky Boat Afloat First published in ABJ March 2013 Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com the leaky boat analogy. 1 Why would bees collect toxic pollen?. 2 Almond pollen. 4 colony-to-colony variation. 5 bee genetics or gut endosymbionts?. 5 summary (so far). 6 Acknowledgements References The Leaky...
Sick Bees – Part 18F4: Colony Collapse Revisited – Environmental Toxins
Sick Bees Part 18f4: Colony Collapse Revisited Environmental Toxins First published in ABJ April 2013 Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com New Chemicals in the Environment Fear of Chemicals – It Ain’t Just Pesticides Irrational Fear of “Chemicals” Manmade Chemicals General Environmental Pollutants Natural Elements Those Danged Bees! Poor Colony Survival Reality Check Acknowledgements References and Notes Randy...
Sick Bees – Part 18F5: Colony Collapse Revisited – Synthetic Pesticides
Sick Bees Part 18f5: Colony Collapse Revisited Synthetic Pesticides First published in ABJ May 2013 Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com Synthetic Pesticides Preadaptation Interactions Between Synthetic and Natural Toxins Toxicological Eras in Honey Bee Evolution The “Varroa Era” Conclusion Addendum: The Beekeepers’ Responsibility Acknowledgements References Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com OK, I hope that since explaining that bees have...
Sick Bees Part 18F9: Colony Collapse Revisited – The Bee/Pesticide Problem Complex
Sick Bees Part 18F9: Colony Collapse Revisited – The Bee/Pesticide Problem Complex Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First Published in ABJ in January 2014 Examples Of Improved Technology The Transition The “Bee/Pesticide Problem Complex” Pesticide Hazard Quotients A More Relevant Figure? Wrap Up Acknowledgements Citations and Footnotes Part 1 In my lifetime I’ve witnessed a wholesale shift...
Amitraz: Red Flags Or Red Herrings?
Amitraz: Red Flags or Red Herrings? Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com Condensed version originally published in ABJ October 2014 CONTENTS A Potential Bombshell Narrowing In On Suspects Another Possible Correlation? The Correlation Over Time Spurious Correlations In Defense Of Amitraz Amitraz And Varroa A Change In The Works Beekeeping Diligence Safety To Humans Prevalence Of Amitraz...
Effect of Amitraz on Buildup of Nucs
Effect of Amitraz on Buildup of Nucs Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First published in ABJ October 2014 Introduction and Objectives I was surprised by the slow buildup and lack of drawing of foundation by the nucs in my 2013/14 Pollen Supp Trial. Although the colonies were started during a dearth, due to the near-continual feeding of...
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I appreciate the notes of support that I receive from all over the world. Seeing who is donating, their locations, and the little notes that come with contributions help to let me know how I should direct my research and writing. In appreciation, and in order to show who is supporting my research and writing, I honor below those who have recently made substantial donations:
REGULAR SERIOUS DONORS
Tracy Fasanella
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* Homestead in the Hood, Colorado
DaleLesser, Michigan
Conway Veterinary Hospital
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Jean Knudsen
Yumei Xiong
Thomas Kirwan
Andrew Dewey, Maine
Madeline Mead
Jill Lambie-ponce
RECENT MAJOR SUPPORTERS
James Jakim, Pennsylvania
Los Angeles County Beekeepers
Justin Ray
Alameda County Beekeepers Association, CA
Santa Clara Valley Beekeepers Guild, CA
Ihor Skrypka
Mike Tooley
Chatham County Beekeepers Association
Darren Tressider
Charles Clark
Victorian Apiarists’ Association
Peter Krey
Chrisensen Family Apiaries, Michigan
Nebraska Beekeepers Assoc.
Hiatt Honey LLC
Miller Honey Farms, California
Paul Hosticka, Washington
Tualatin Valley Beekeepers Association, Oregon
Merrimack Valley Beekeepers, NH
Colorado State Beekeepers Assoc.
Alameda County Beekeepers Assoc, Calif
New Mexico Beekeepers Assoc
Colonial Beekeepers Assoc, Virginia
Help Save the Bees Foundation, Nevada
James Jakim, Pennsylvania
RECENT $100+ SERIOUS SUPPORTERS
Rick Hyde
Mohawk Valley Trading Company
Ron Morrison
Susan Ament
Richard Reid
San Mateo Bee Guild, California
Zach Suddaby
Cara Ching, California
Vincent Aloyo, Pennsylvania
Rick Anderson, Kansas
Perry County Beekeepers Club
Lawrence Huba
Charles Reichert
Charles Clark
Charlean Andes
Always Summer Herbs, Florida
Bill Hall
David George
Dean Christie
Roy Manicke
Jersey Cape Beekeepers Association
Kansas Honey Producers Association
New Hampshire Beekeepers Association
Chester County Beekeepers Assoc, Pennsylvania
Debbie Hewitt, Maryland
Mile Hive Bee Club, Colorado
Dale Lesser, Minnesota
Santa Clara Valley Beekeepers Guild, California
Stevan Huffman, Alaska
Flower Street Farm
Cara Ching, California
Terry Barrett
Robert M Simonson
Vincent Aloyo, Pennsyvania
Byron Godard
Southern Oregon Beekeepers Association
Lawrence Chismar
Middlesex Beekeepers Association, Massachusetts
Montgomery County Beekeepers, Maryland
Charles Clarke, California
Andrew Dewey
Ralph Carter, California
Barnstable County Beekeepers Association
Mary Aho
Sonja Percival
New York Bee Wellness
Liz and Terry Huxter
David Ball
Paul W. Garges
Andrew Levi
Jim Veitch, California
Mark Simonitsch, Massachusetts
Kenneth Sallitt
Kelle Frymire
Tamiko Panzella, California
Rodd Hall, Wisconsin
James Baerwald
Jean Knudsen
Yosef Shochat, Israel
Nicolas Geant
Charles Clark
Merrimack Valley Beekeepers
Michael Cummings
Bryce Lord
Jersey Cape Beekeepers
Busy Bee Honey, Vermont
Rick Anderson
Steve Sweet, Idaho
Ulster County Beekeepers Association
Jan Lawson
Honey Bee Club of Stillwater, Minnesota
Black Hills Area Beekeeping Club, South Dakota
Richard Ozero, Alberta
Paul Yanus, Vermont
Suddabees Honey LLC
Dean Christie
New Hampshire Beekeepers Association
Jane Sebring
Vincent Aloyo
Connecticut Beekeepers Association
Jim Lyssy
Wyoming Beekeepers Association
Tualatin Valley Beekeepers, Oregon
Yosef Shochat
Dale Lesser
Jill Lambie-ponce
Deborah Corcoran
Justin Ray
Idaho Honey Producers Association
Capital Area Beekeepers Association, PA
Mark Simonitsch, MA
Central Maryland Beekeepers Association
Roy Manicke
Kansas Honey Producers Association
Charles Bailey Jr
Richard Reed
Gregory Quinn
John Allison
Joshua Sewell
Chris Abbot, Virginia
Owyhee Honey Company
Idaho Honey Ranch
Mount Diablo Beekeepers Association, California
Charles Bailey Jr
Raritan Valley Beekeepers Association
Mike Tooley
Los Angeles County Beekeepers Association
Santa Clara Valley Beekeepers Guild
Pamela Stegemerten
Vermont Beekeepers Association
Los Angeles County Beekeepers Association
Michael Kurtz
Dan Geer
Ross Honey Company
Steven Greenwood
Julie Spezia
Stephen Lamb, California
Pam Rogers, Indiana
El Dorado Beekeepers, California
Bill Mares, Vermont
Mike Stoops
Adam Bagerski, Oregon
Dorothy Hammett
Janine Cohen, California
Neil Nordquist, California
Richard Hyde, California
Bonnie Bee & Co., California
Merrimack Valley Beekeepers Association, New Hampshire
Laura Risk, Colorado
Capital Area Beekeepers Association, Pennsylvania
West Sound Beekeepers Association, Washington
Beekeepers’ Guild San Mateo, California
Omaha Bee Club, Nebraska
Joplin Area Beekeepers Association
Steve Sweet, Idaho
Bill’s Bees
Rich Blohm, New York
James Baerwald
Kip Glass, Missouri
Charles Vorisek
Carlos Perez, California
Debra Morey
Margaret Varney
Chester County Beekeepers Association, Pennsylvania
Thomas Dahl
Vince Aloyo, Pennsylvania
Charles Bureau
Help Save the Bees Foundation, Nevada
Aaron Bergman, Florida
Alan Herzfeld, Idaho
Eli’s Bees, California
Ghislain De Roeck, Belgium
Buncombe County Beekeepers, North Carolina
Robert Holcombe, Rhode Island
Alex Naumenko, Florida
Honey Bee Club of Stillwater, Minnesota
New Hampshire Beekeepers Association
Merrimack Valley Beekeepers, New Hampshire
Blossomwood Honey, Al
Bee Thankful Raw Honey
Skip Smith
Jean Knudsen
Jason Hough, Maryland
Tualatin Valley Beekeepers, Oregon
Craig Falls, New York
Michael Aaby, Maryland
Keith Scott
Randall Carter, Alabama
Thomas Kirwan
Nicolas Geant, California
Lee Bussy
Jean Knudsen
Andrew Dewey, Maine
Jason Wester, Michigan



