If neonics are so dangerous to honey bees, why is the rate of colony failure the same in non-neonic regions as intense neonic regions? The answer is, blaming neonics is a convenient excuse for failure to adequately deal with Varroa mites.
@@InsideTheHiveTV , I live in Iron County, southern Utah. Maps showing areas of neonic use show that neonics are not used in most of the western US. Dr. McArt shared one such map in his presentation. The extension agent for my county confirmed that farmers in my area don't use neonics. I am the county bee inspector for my county and get to meet with most of the beekeepers each year. I find that when local colonies fail it is almost always due to either starvation or the effects of Varroa mites. We have the same rate of annual colony failures as any area where there is extensive use of neonics -- around 40-50%. On the other hand, those who religiously control the mites have a consistent success of 80% of better -- just like conscientious beekeepers in areas of intense use of neonics. So far, the only studies I've seen regarding honey bees and neonics has been regarding possible or real effects on the bee. As far as I know, nobody in science has compared bee health in neonic areas with bee health in non-neonic areas. That is work that needs to be done. I really enjoy your videos and the scientific value to bring to beekeeping.
Thanks Blaine. Perhaps I should make videos about each of these studies individually to see if we as a community can find some gaps in the narrative. Thanks for your hard work as an inspector. I know how hard it can be. Cheers
@@BlaineNay What map are you referring to? I don't see a map on the use of neonicotiniods in his presentation here, only ones that show how much honey bees and insects have declined.
@@waltofalltrades6817, a simple Internet search pops up lots of maps of where neonics are used. For example, a map of imidacloprid (one of the neonics) use shows heavy use of this pesticide in the Midwest and very little in most of the Western states. (See map at assets.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/styles/full_content--retina/public/media-uploads/map_5.jpg.) Maps for other neonics show very similar geographic use. Yet, the rate of honey bee colony failure is about the same in Utah (little-to-no use) as it is in Ohio (heavy use). That tells me that the problem isn't neonics. Further, the European Union banned neonics 5 years ago. The fate of the honey bee in Europe has not changed. That also tells me that the problem isn't neonics. It seems to me that Dr. Scott McArt went into his research with a predetermined verdict and sought only the data needed to confirm his theory. I expect better of scientists. Neonics are little more than a scapegoat for failure to manage Varroa.
What if it's not just pesticides or neonics that's the problem? We've got a lot of gmo & a lot spraying chemicals in general that still is happening, a long with monocrops, which has proved to cause issue. Mites aren't the only problem. But maybe because of the gmo, mites, spraying, single crop planting, we've reduced their nutritional requirements? Everything is connected, not just 1 to blame completely
@@InsideTheHiveTV It probably is. So the next question is why have they become so detrimental to colonized bee's & how might it be different,if any, then how our wild bee's cope?
Thanks as always, for your work in bringing the latest pollinator info forward! Here is the link he mentions contains the ABJ summary: blogs.cornell.edu/mcartlab/notes-from-the-lab/
If neonics are so dangerous to honey bees, why is the rate of colony failure the same in non-neonic regions as intense neonic regions? The answer is, blaming neonics is a convenient excuse for failure to adequately deal with Varroa mites.
Hello Blaine, I believe you mentioned some regions in the past that you had experience with. Where are you referring about?
@@InsideTheHiveTV , I live in Iron County, southern Utah.
Maps showing areas of neonic use show that neonics are not used in most of the western US. Dr. McArt shared one such map in his presentation. The extension agent for my county confirmed that farmers in my area don't use neonics.
I am the county bee inspector for my county and get to meet with most of the beekeepers each year. I find that when local colonies fail it is almost always due to either starvation or the effects of Varroa mites. We have the same rate of annual colony failures as any area where there is extensive use of neonics -- around 40-50%. On the other hand, those who religiously control the mites have a consistent success of 80% of better -- just like conscientious beekeepers in areas of intense use of neonics.
So far, the only studies I've seen regarding honey bees and neonics has been regarding possible or real effects on the bee. As far as I know, nobody in science has compared bee health in neonic areas with bee health in non-neonic areas. That is work that needs to be done.
I really enjoy your videos and the scientific value to bring to beekeeping.
Thanks Blaine. Perhaps I should make videos about each of these studies individually to see if we as a community can find some gaps in the narrative. Thanks for your hard work as an inspector. I know how hard it can be. Cheers
@@BlaineNay What map are you referring to? I don't see a map on the use of neonicotiniods in his presentation here, only ones that show how much honey bees and insects have declined.
@@waltofalltrades6817, a simple Internet search pops up lots of maps of where neonics are used. For example, a map of imidacloprid (one of the neonics) use shows heavy use of this pesticide in the Midwest and very little in most of the Western states. (See map at assets.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/styles/full_content--retina/public/media-uploads/map_5.jpg.) Maps for other neonics show very similar geographic use. Yet, the rate of honey bee colony failure is about the same in Utah (little-to-no use) as it is in Ohio (heavy use). That tells me that the problem isn't neonics.
Further, the European Union banned neonics 5 years ago. The fate of the honey bee in Europe has not changed. That also tells me that the problem isn't neonics.
It seems to me that Dr. Scott McArt went into his research with a predetermined verdict and sought only the data needed to confirm his theory. I expect better of scientists.
Neonics are little more than a scapegoat for failure to manage Varroa.
Be nice if it just killed the Varroa mites. Thanks for sharing
I agree. We must find other solutions for Varroa mite. The ones we have now are not working anymore. You are welcome.
What if it's not just pesticides or neonics that's the problem? We've got a lot of gmo & a lot spraying chemicals in general that still is happening, a long with monocrops, which has proved to cause issue. Mites aren't the only problem. But maybe because of the gmo, mites, spraying, single crop planting, we've reduced their nutritional requirements? Everything is connected, not just 1 to blame completely
You are right it is never one single problem. However, the biggest problem right now is Varroa mite. No doubt about it.
@@InsideTheHiveTV It probably is. So the next question is why have they become so detrimental to colonized bee's & how might it be different,if any, then how our wild bee's cope?
Thanks as always, for your work in bringing the latest pollinator info forward! Here is the link he mentions contains the ABJ summary: blogs.cornell.edu/mcartlab/notes-from-the-lab/
My pleasure James. Let me know if I can be more useful. Cheers