Bees Bayer Systemic Pesticide

[ChaseGhost]

I don't think anyone is saying that using pesticides in your home or green house is causing bee decline, But why give your money to a company that isn't concerned with ecological conservation, only profit.
Also why make it one of your practices that when you have an issue pest/fungal or otherwise your first resort is to use a strong pesticide when you might be able to control it with a less toxic method, Also there is such a thing as breeding resistance into pests, fungus and bacteria. And I don't think Native pollinator decline is a " Type of stupid agenda."

Yeah other things hurt the ecosystem, does that mean that you should do whatever you want? Yeah we are destroying the planet at an insane rate and nothing we are doing seems to be sustainable. SO don't be so defeatist try to enact some changes, or go throw all your plants in a bonfire and go drink out of the big bowl of cool aide.

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If the bees are burrowing into your cabin they are probably Xylocopa (Carpenter bees) and not bumble bees, some look a lot alike. If you put out boxes for them they will go to those instead.

[orchidsarefun]

I am a firm believer that every person CAN make a difference. I remember when the use of recycling bins was scoffed at as being a waste of time - well look at how that movement took hold ! Instead of scoffing at ideas or findings, why not look at the problem objectively ? Bee populations are in decline. Nobody is 100% certain of the cause, and certainty probably won't ever come about. Monarch butterfly populations are in decline. Herbicide blow-over from maize fields is being pointed at.
Makes me think 2x about using ANY non-organic chemicals in the environment. Must we wait until a point of no-return before doing anything ?

As an individual you can do your part. There will always be a few individuals that doubt EVERYTHING, regardless of facts, as a hobbyhorse.

[james mickelso]

Well......actually what went in to the ocean around Fukushima wasn't even a tiny blip on the worlds oceans compared to what we, France, Britain, and Russia put into the ocean starting in 1946. The two Bikini tests in 1948 were more than 1000 Fukushimas. Shame on us. Our indiscriminate use of fertilizers and pesticides of all kinds is what we will reap in our children's future. But then again without them we would all have starved long ago. Double edged swords.

[Orchid Whisperer]

The Bayer Imidacloprid products work quite well and really should not be an issue when used on orchids in the home or greenhouse.

Some insects really do seem to require systemics for adequate control (scale and mealies, for example). I use my Bayer Advanced Rose & Flower only when I have tried other methods first and they don't work. All pesticides should be used ONLY when needed.

[quiltergal]

I agree, Bayer 3-1 works great on sucking insects such as scale and mealies, and it kills the crawlers in the media as well. My plants are all in the house, so I run no risk of contaminating bees. There is a warning on the label advising you to only use it early in the morning before bees become really active. When I have scale it's my go to product. Nothing works better. Other products may control the infestation but will never eradicate it entirely.

As with all things moderation in banning products makes sense. Wholesale banning of products makes no sense.

[Ferns Daddy]

I don't use pesticides out side or inside because of my dog she got her face in every flower or plant, I don't use any thing on my lawn to kill grubs or any thing else, I have a 95% white clover lawn that I grow for the bees, I use soap to remove most insects or my fingers.

[orchidsarefun]

fyi Imidacloprid is on the EPA radar too

Colony Collapse Disorder: European Bans on Neonicotinoid Pesticides | Pesticides | US EPA

and

Based on currently available data, the EPA's scientific conclusions are similar to those expressed in the EFSA report with regard to the potential for acute effects and uncertainty about chronic risk. However, the EFSA report does not address risk management, which, under U.S. federal law, is a key component of the EPA's pesticide regulatory scheme.

I don't know what comment really means in terms of "risk management", but I am not going to be using this stuff - especially when there are organic alternatives.......sucrashield being one.

---------- Post added at 09:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:54 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Ferns Daddy

I don't use pesticides out side or inside because of my dog she got her face in every flower or plant, I don't use any thing on my lawn to kill grubs or any thing else, I have a 95% white clover lawn that I grow for the bees, I use soap to remove most insects or my fingers.

Well done !
I used this on my lawn, with great results. The only problem is that not everyone else does !

Milky spore - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[james mickelso]

But...unless I'm mistaken, Sucra Shield works the same on all insects. Bees included so where is the safety? The only time I use any insecticide is to kill ants when they nest in an orchid and on mealies. I can't get at them dow in the axils of the flower buds so I spray a small amount down into the buds joints. For scale I just rub them off the leaf and pbulb. Not too difficult. The home gardener is not who the feds and EU should be harassing but China, Africa (China) , south America and the western world in general for our waste of resources like fossil fuels. And fertilizers and hormones of every kind. Just look at the dead zones off our gulf and atlantic coasts. Ok. Ok. I'll get off my soap box now. Hey!!! How bout those Seahawks.

[orchidsarefun]

point of organic vs chemical is that organic is ( usually ) a contact insecticide that only works if the insect is sprayed directly and is harmless ( to everything ) at other times. Unlike chemicals there are no long-lasting residual effects. Its the residual effect that causes the problems, usually in the water supply, or if used outdoors - in other plants and soil.

Go Seahawks ! Guess offensive vs. defensive is going to be analysed to death, but that game was as close to a walk-over that I have ever seen.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

And Ray.....if Sucra Shield kills by contact, and is used where bees are foraging, won't they also be victims??? The stuff works well but it isn't selective for any few type insects alone. It works on all exoskellotel systems.

I have no idea, James, but apparently is doesn't affect them.

My understanding is not that it affects the exoskeleton, just the protective coatings on them. Maybe those coatings are different, or maybe it forms droplets on the body hairs instead of affecting the coatings.