What Pesticides Do To Reduce Mosquito and How West Nile Virus Affects Bee Populations

Years of Calling The Wild Honey Bee Song

This article, originally written August of 2010, highlighted the devastating effects of pesticides in our environment to sensitive organisms. Many of these natural insects perform a key function to the cycle of life and food production for the planet.

Cry of the Wild Honey Bee That Pollinates Clover, Fruit Trees, and Flowers

Fast forward to April 2012 and we cannot miss reading a news article about the fragile honey bee population. The screams from dying colonies, organic gardeners, bee farmers and bee lovers may be heard faintly across the industrial complex that sells and markets chemicals. So many have lost their livelihoods, their beloved bee hives, the sweet honey that drips from combs, and the wax used to make favored specialty candles and seal canning jars.

Neonicotinoid Pesticides Derived From Tobacco

Recent studies site the neonicotinoid pesticides in the case of bee colony death. The application of 143 million acres across the United States alone tell the story of how the chemical corporations fear the loss of a staple income and profit from sales of this pesticide. Have we learned from the past that tobacco causes cancer? Can we see any link to increases in cancer in our society and permeating these chemicals across the food chain?

Taking Action Against In The Media

We will surely see class action suits to recoup the loss to farmers and land owners; and what about the harm to neighborhoods and individuals from aerial spray which causes health effects? Bayer and the other corporations, who make a living selling us 'aspirin' and many other drugs, have ways of twisting the truth and sending a positive message about their chemicals that infiltrate our environment. Have you noticed the recent studies claiming the benefits of taking aspirin every day to prevent cancer and heart disease? I wondering who funded these studies and if there could be a conflict of interest involved?

Only You and I Can Make A Difference

I leave it up to the people who have educated themselves and know how to contact their congressional representatives to write and call about their concern. I leave it up to the millions of bloggers to write a Hubpage, an article, a letter to the editor, a note to their neighbors, a notice to their local governing bodies. We must band together and tell the story of the bees. Show movies in the schools and unite to let the EPA we won't let this pass without a fight. We will be fighting for the survival of the bees, who provide our daily bread.

• Plant and Seed Diversity Is Key
  Plant and seed diversity is key to survival of our planet. If we allow the big pharma industry to rule over us and force the use of sterile seeds in every country we will lose our ability to fight disease. If we allow the mass media messages to hamper our belief in mother nature's ability to provide the necessities of wholesome foods and natural immunity, again we will lose our diversity and ability to grow.

SIGNALING THEIR OWN DEMISE | Bees unusual behavior the past two years to seal off their collected propolis, collected pollen, in separate wax-lined cells appears to have a survival mechanism. They leave open feeding cells that are not as heavily laden with pesticides to feed their young.

This behavior indicates the worker bees can sense the amount of pesticides from the plants the collector bees have not detected. What can we learn from them? Our body also seals and encapsulates cancer cells as tumors in our body, and trees do the same by forming galls. Walling off unhealthy, disordered and sickened parts of the body.

Our world has been tainted. Can we use this technique with other damaged areas, like oil spills and radiation leaks? Will this help preserve the cleaner and healthier parts of our world?

Good Intentions That Have Questionable Outcomes

In just about every state and all regions that contain mosquito populations, our local and state governments are instituting pesticide spraying policies. In an attempt to keep insects at low levels, they are putting many other living populations at risk. Most of you have heard of chemtrails, which cause allergic reactions in humans, but have you thought how it would effect all other wild animals and the balance of nature?

Saving The Bees

This hub brings to your attention the importance of saving the bees, because we depend upon them. We must take a lesson from all the clues in our environment that tell us something is not right in our world. Natural events presently warn of what is to come. We must make better decisions and contact our legislators requesting them to make ethical choices. As I read this list of adverse effects from pesticide sprays I am reminded the the Gulf of Mexico oil spill toxins that have poured into our oceans, waterways, marshes and the gaseous fumes now in our atmosphere which rain down harsh hydrocarbon poisons that people breath.

New Research Indicates that honey bee populations are affected by cell phones.

I've noticed that the MailOnline report from a Florida Bee Keeper who lost $150,000 worth of bees in one fell swoop has gone viral across the internet. They say no disease caused the loss of 12 MILLION bees. They suspect local pesticide sprays.

What is the major difference in organic from conventional beekeeping?

None of the typical methods such as: Terramycin for treating foulbrood disease, Apistan for Verroa mites, GardStar for treating small hive beetles, nor Bee Go to chase bees instead of using a smoker have been used to produce the organic bee colonies.

Specially placed hives to produce truly organic honey

Beehives nurtured in isolated areas away from any type of contamination (golf courses, agricultural areas, heavy traffic areas, landfills) with the knowledge of bee flight range, which assures their natural instinct to stay within approximately a two mile range from their hive location.

What makes your honey crystallize solid?

The nutrient level, crystallization, color, fragrance and taste of honey is based upon the plant and flower types that bees gather the nectar. Y.S. beekeepers produce superior, energy packed (intense crystallization) honey with the highest possible levels of live enzymes, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healing agents as a functional food. Only truly raw state honey that has never been processed will crystallize with intensity and has full beneficial properties nature intended.

We are a Democracy

Listen to the fact-filled 20-minute documentary video of Michael Lynberg, author of a 'Review of 643 Documented Complaints of Adverse Reactions Following the California Dept. of Food & Agriculture's (CDFA's) Aerial Spraying of two Pesticides based on Pheromones over Densely Populated Neighborhoods in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties in September, October and November 2007' to realize exactly what can happen.

A democracy is a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives; control of a group by the majority of it members; and the practice and principles of equality. A country where there is freedom of speech is essential to democracy in a representative elective government which may also be called 'a republic.'

We are a Republic

A republic is a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch. To tell you the truth, I often question that America is a republic. Over the last decade or so, we seem to have lost the balance of power, through the passage of bills that have self served those in power at the top. This hub is not about the political structure of America and these are side comments related to a comment given.

The three main questions that he asks are:

1. Is it safe?
2. Is it necessary?
3. Will it be effective?

Human Effects from Pesticide Spraying

'Citizens complained of a variety of adverse reactions immediately and soon after the aerial spraying, including:

• Asthma attacks
• Bronchial irritation
• Lung congestion and soreness
• Difficulty breathing and shortness of breath
• Coughing or "wheezing"
• Skin rashes (sometimes severe)
• Vision blurred
• Eye irritation
• Sore throats
• Nasal congestion
• Sinus bleeding
• Chest pains and tightness
• Heart arrhythmia and tachycardia (irregular and rapid heartbeat)
• Headaches (sometimes debilitating)
• An inability to concentrate and focus
• Dizziness
• Muscle aches
• Body tremors
• Intestinal pain and diarrhea
• Nausea
• Swollen glands and lymph nodes in neck and under arms
• Feelings of lethargy and malaise
• Menstrual cramping, an interruption to menstrual cycles, and in some cases a re-commencement of menstrual cycles after menopause....'

ReactionToSpraying@yahoo.com
POB 1612, Pebble Beach, CA 94953POB 1612, Pebble Beach, CA 94953

Mosquito spraying is probably happening in your neighborhood. Recent news of spraying in Grand Forks sent shivers and red flags up for the local bee keepers.

The insecticide used for the aerial spray is primarily used to control adult mosquitoes and black fly populations. Beekeepers are advised to cover their hives as this product can be toxic to bees. A news article tells people to call mosquito control at 701-787-8110.

Our Goal and Highest Good

The hot days of August with high humidity is prime season to breed mosquitos and spread West Nile Virus. This is a deadly disease and we must find safe ways to lower insect populations without creating an imbalance in the environment or causing allergic reactions from spraying pesticides. With today's research and technology and simple steps we can educate towns-people to live pest free.

About Aerial Spraying and Pesticide Effects

Cities like Grand Forks, employs the US Air Force to drop pesticides on the city. The city buys the pesticide [The Trumpet ] and the Air Force sprays as a training mission at no cost to the city. Trumpet is toxic to fish, birds and other wildlife. May be fatal if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through eye or skin. May produce acute cholinesterase depression. May cause corrosive destruction of the skin, mucous membranes and the eyes. Signs of acute over exposure include: Acute cholinesterase depression may be evidenced by headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, excessive sweating, salivation and tearing, constricted pupils, blurred vision, tightness in chest, weakness, muscle twitching and confusion; in extreme cases, unconsciousness, convulsions, severe respiratory depression and death may occur. This product is expected to be corrosive to the eyes. The degree of injury will depend on the amount and duration of the contact and the speed and thoroughness of the first aid treatment. Expected adverse health effects resulting from direct exposure to the eye may include pain, tears, swelling, redness. There is much more in the PDF safety sheet. You can imagine how 'sensitive' people might react to such sprays.

Trumpet Pesticide Labeling

The Oregon West Nile Virus Working Group indicates that Trumpet can be applied by conventional ground based ULV applications, however it is best suited as an aerial applied adulticide. This product does not have setback restrictions to water, is labeled on over 25 crops and has a .5 ppm tolerance as established by the EPA for all crops. Naled shows little persistence in soil or water. This product is highly toxic to fish, bees and many aquatic invertebrates. Do we really know what we are doing to our homes and gardens? Is it safe to use these chemicals, which are similar to agent orange?

The company's instruction for handling offers these guidelines:

This product is highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment on blooming crops or weeds. To minimize hazard to bees, it is recommended that the product is not applied more than two hours after sunrise or two hours before sunset, limiting application to times when bees are least active. Do not apply this product or allow it to drift to blooming crops or weeds while bees are visiting the treatment area, except when applications are made to prevent or control a threat to public and/or animal health determined by a state, tribal or local health or vector control agency on the basis of documented evidence of disease causing agents in vector mosquitoes or the occurrence of mosquito-borne disease in animal or human populations, or if specifically approved by the state or the tribe during a natural disaster recovery effort.

ADHERENCE TO GUIDELINE SUGGESTIONS

Although towns comply with time of day spraying bee experts say aerial spraying will kill bees because on particularly warm nights, they stay outside the hive to better ventilate the brood.

Other Pesticides

Grand Forks, N.D. uses permethrin -- a biological adulticide that is safer for workers than the malathion Winnipeg uses. If you read this fact sheet, would you approve use of the neurotoxin near your home?

The insecticide permethrin (in the synthetic pyrethroid family) is widely used on cotton, wheat, corn, alfalfa, and other crops. In addition, over 100 million applications are made annually in and around U.S. homes.

Permethrin, like all synthetic pyrethroids, is a neurotoxin. Symptoms include tremors, incoordination, elevated body temperature, increased aggressive behavior, and disruption of learning. Laboratory tests suggest that permethrin is more acutely toxic to children than to adults.

Environmental Protection Agency

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified permethrin as a carcinogen because it causes lung tumors in female mice and liver tumors in mice of both sexes. Permethrin inhibits the activity of the immune system in laboratory tests, and also binds to the receptors for a male sex hormone. It causes chromosome aberrations in human and hamster cells.

Permethrin is toxic to honey bees and other beneficial insects, fish, aquatic insects, crayfish, and shrimp. For many species, concentrations of less than one part per billion are lethal. Permethrin causes deformities and other developmental problems in tadpoles, and reduces the number of oxygen-carrying cells in the blood of birds.

Permethrin has been found in streams and rivers throughout the United States. It is also routinely found on produce, particularly spinach, tomatoes, celery, lettuce, and peaches.

A wide variety of insects have developed resistance to permethrin. High levels of resistance have been documented in cockroaches, head lice, and tobacco budworm. By Caroline Cox, JPR’s editor.

Name Calling | Green Freaks

You won't believe that some people overlook the dangers and start name calling. They say Winnipeggers are in favour of spraying. It's time to stand up to the small minority of green freaks who've controlled this issue too long. We want fogging. Summer in this city is too short, and winter too long, not to have it. What are these people thinking?

MORE NATURAL APPROACH

Minnesota has a different approach. It uses helicopters to drop a natural soil bacterium to control mosquito larva. It does not spray pesticides by air. To the extent it uses pesticides, the mosquito control district in the metro keeps a record of the location of bee hives, according to Mike McLean, the district's public information officer.

Reference: Mosquitos vs: Bees / West Nile Virus and Bees

Julie-Ann Amos Hubpages about organic pesticides to keep your home garden free of pests. How to remove slugs and snails using a salt line. Clean up the ground area. The old beer technique and preparing raised beds. Using old fashioned baking soda and dish detergent to spray on aphids and smoking out wasps. Spray on dish-soap and oil over those creepy mealybugs and many other great ideas.

All Time Guy shows a horrifying image of baby without arms or legs due to effects of pesticide exposure. That's one wake up call! He recommends the use of pheromones and microbial pesticides, insect breeding and genetic engineering. I personally wouldn't touch GE because that changes the entire environment and also can effect humans in ways we won't know for decades into the future.

The bed bug guru tells how to care for the indoor insects that have become epidemic across the country. He warns us not to use every type of pesticide as we don't know their interactive effects. Cleaning the area and removing mattresses and infested furniture may be a good start. The use of sticky material to catch these critters may help. It's probably wise to find an expert who may use a whole house heat treatment that would not effect the environment with chemicals.

Ren Chin talks about keeping an organic garden so that we don't ingest synthetic chemicals, toxins and poisons that may be on our foods. He lists some brand name products, plus boric acid, neem oil and pyrethrin from chrysanthemum flowers. My husband, the environmental scientist, also likes to teach his students about rotenone which comes from the jicama vine and bacillus thuringiensis. Many homeopaths recommend the use of sabadilla homeopathically for fleas and insect bites, and gardening. Finally, he lets us know many people use kitchen cabinet spices and herbs to protect our gardens.

The friendly worm composting fan tells us to make our own preparation of garlic spray. Everyone knows the benefits of eating garlic as an antibacterial agent when we have a cold or infection. Did you know that a concoction of garlic, mineral oil and fish emulsion would be perfect for your garden to protect from mosquitoes, flies and aphids? Many home crafted soap preparations will also stick to plant leaves to protect them. Don't forget to get your composting started and breed worms to aerate the soil.

Wealth made healthy says that chemicals taste yucky and why would you want them on your natural garden plants, fruits and veggies? Branded pesticides cost too much both economically and environmentally. He also goes for the garlic , pepper and onion with dish soap applications that are just as effective on your roses, azaleas as your vegetables. Sounds like we're getting ready to make salad dressing! He provides a number of other natural solutions for your tomatoes and to fight slugs, Japanese beetles, white flies, cabbage worms, mites and caterpillars.

Lisa Williams teaches us about companion planting, a truly natural and environmentally friendly way to plan your garden. Learn what plants can improve the growth in a symbiotic relationship. She has terrific suggestions for getting rid of slugs using eggshells and copper sheeting. Her simple and effective use of safe methods, like netting your plants, will end in a bountiful harvest.

Slow worm wants you to know how to control garden pests using all natural products. My friend told me today she opened her compost bin and a plague of fruit flies swarmed out all around her. I will have to direct her to all these great Hubpages articles and perhaps some garlic water will tone down those flies! In the meantime, using companion plants that enhance the beauty of your garden, like lavender and marigolds will prove beneficial, too. And don't forget the vinegar, pepper tea and orange peel spray to dampen the fungus and bugs.

Doodle Bugs makes me think, "Have you ever been stung by a wasp, or had them buzzing around during your picnic? Doodle bugs says be kind to bees and wasps, they play a vital part in the natural landscape. Leave them alone, and they'll leave you alone. I guess he wouldn't like to hear that I take a stick and smash their homes when they build them around my window frames and in the corners of my eaves. I'm surprised to learn that simple dish detergent application will get rid of these pests. Many comments have included the use of vinegar and spraying at night when wasps are sleeping and not active. Farmer Steve says to duct tape a shop vacuum hose to a 14 foot pipe and use the suction action to remove their homes. And Jan teaches us that wasps are territorial in nature. If you put up a 'false' nest then others won't try to invade that area. Thanks, Jan!

Poet Mel has even more great information about the effects of pesticides on global warming, depletion of the ozone layer, and the contamination by run off into our streams and wells. He cites his information from the Florida State University Journal of Land Use & Environmental Law which links hundreds of resource articles concerning pesticides and controlled substances.

I know it looks scary and we swat that mosquito when they bite, but we must find safer ways to control this insect. In third world countries the most efficient, cost effective way to prevent the spread of malaria is through netting. 

There are plenty of hub links above to surf and find the best herbal cocktail to mix up and lather on your skin. Wear long sleeves and pants, although I know they also get through your clothes sometimes. 

Gizmos says they have found the answer to Bee Collapse Military scientists and entomologists decide bee collapse is due to a combination of a fungus and a virus. 

What does Katherine Eban say in her editorial about Bee Collapse? Follow the money trail. What was the relationship between the study's lead author, Montana bee researcher Dr. Jerry Bromenshenk, and Bayer Crop Science?

POLL | I have provided a short survey for those who read this Hubpages all the way to the end. I hope this provided educational material that you can use in your life today. Whether you have become aware of the pesticide issues that affect our planet, garnished some new safe gardening techniques, or have decided to take action on the local, state or national level. I would love to hear what you will due this year. Vote on the poll and leave a report in the comment section.

Beekeeping Group Articles

A collection of articles about the state of bees and notes from an expert agro-homeopath. Plus, many wonderful enlightening and entertaining videos.

Hope For The Future

Lets see some progress in the area of safe 'bug-off' applications. This one looks promising. I just wonder what is in those synthetics and if applied on the skin if there are any harmful effects. I would also like to hear whether you feel hopeful about containing the pesticide issue in the world.

Bee Music

To conclude this news article, I have provided an ingenious musical interlude of melodies made solely by the sounds of bees. Enjoy!

Eradicating Malaria | A team of scientists has developed genetically modified mosquitoes that are unable to transmit malaria.

News Medical | NIH awards UH with $361,000 grant for chikungunya vaccine study

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