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Post by esther on Jan 18, 2011 14:42:58 GMT
I was a bit concerned to read about insecticides killing Honey Bees  We use insecticides rarely but it made me think. A few days ago I had an invasion of millions of aphids (slight exageration!) in my heated greenhouse .Barry went in and sprayed for me - it's a good job there aren't any bees around at the moment  I won't be using sprays from now on ! |
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Post by merlin on Jan 20, 2011 7:47:34 GMT
I was a bit concerned to read about insecticides killing Honey Bees We use insecticides rarely but it made me think. A few days ago I had an invasion of millions of aphids (slight exageration!) in my heated greenhouse .Barry went in and sprayed for me - it's a good job there aren't any bees around at the moment I won't be using sprays from now on ! I agree it's a cause for concern, The spray that's most worring is made by Bayer, a German company If I remember rightly. The EU is quick to ban US products, I wonder how long it will take to ban a German one. |
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Post by Cherry on Jan 20, 2011 8:21:33 GMT
My neighbour keeps bees which feed in my garden so I am very careful, more careful than she is in fact.
The problem sprays were mostly Bayer, with a few Scotts. Have GN/GA fallen out of love with Bayer which used to sponsor the roadshow? They never said a word against that brand before.
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Post by grindle on Jan 20, 2011 8:25:58 GMT
I don't use any insecticides in the garden and very little in the greenhouse, just now and again. That's probably why most of my flowers look tatty ;D
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Post by merlin on Jan 20, 2011 9:32:24 GMT
I don't use any insecticides in the garden and very little in the greenhouse, just now and again. That's probably why most of my flowers look tatty ;D Never mind Dylan won't mind  |
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Post by Rosie on Jan 20, 2011 12:47:32 GMT
I don't use any insecticides in the garden and very little in the greenhouse, just now and again. That's probably why most of my flowers look tatty ;D I would rather have tatty flowers and lots of wildlife in my garden than use sprays ;D |
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Post by Cherry on Jan 20, 2011 14:59:11 GMT
I don't use any insecticides in the garden and very little in the greenhouse, just now and again. That's probably why most of my flowers look tatty ;D I would rather have tatty flowers and lots of wildlife in my garden than use sprays ;D I think that a good mix of plants is the answer. I don't even spray roses. However, I have been known to use it on lilies for lily beetle. |
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Jan 20, 2011 16:32:50 GMT
I often wondered if the systemic ones hurt the bees. If it is absorbed by the plants I would have thought it would end up in the nectar too. In the conservatory I have a spray which only works on contact and acts as a folia feed for the plants, I use it either first thing in the morning or last thing at night before/after any beneficial insects are about.
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Post by merlin on Jan 20, 2011 16:50:24 GMT
If there are any R4 listeners out there, they will be discussing a new theory about what's happening to honey bees 5 - 6pm today.
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Post by merlin on Jan 20, 2011 17:54:33 GMT
Apparently there was something in the Independent this morning, saying that some sprays are causing the bee to become much more susceptible to disease. (isn't that like HIV?) The suspect chenical is Neo- nocotinode. I'll read the small print on my rose spray tomorrow.
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I won't be using sprays from now on !
