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Author Topic: Japanese Beetle in Utah...  (Read 4076 times)

Offline UtahBees

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Japanese Beetle in Utah...
« on: April 30, 2007, 04:32:54 pm »
Hello all -

I'm a newbie here, and in my first year with my first hive. I've been notified recently that for the first time, Japanese Beetles were found in my area (Orem, Utah), and thus the county is goign to spray to eradicate them. The issues are that they suggest we move beehives at least 4 miles away from the nearest edge of spraying (see email #2).

Below is the first email message regarding this announcement:

--- Start ---

Greetings everyone.

 
Last night's meeting went very well.  Clint Burfitt with the Division of Plant Industry for the state and Danielle Downey (Salt Lake County bee inspector and Division of Plant Industry employee) both came down to discuss the impact of the Japanese Beetle eradication program on beekeepers in Utah County.  Below is a quick summary of what was discussed specific to beekeeping.
 
First, everyone should be aware that bio control options were evaluated by the state.  Bio controls are very effective  when there is a large established population of Japanese Beetles. In this situation they would not be effective since the population levels are very low and most bio control options are species specific. 
 
Second, the state is asking for the cooperation of all the citizens in the containment area to lend their cooperation as this is the only chance they have of eradicating the beetle before it becomes established in Utah County.  If the beetle does become established in Utah County, the county would enter a quarantine status and producers of turf and ornamental host plants would not be able to export their products outside of the county and this could have some unforeseen economic impacts.
 
Third, there has been a confirmed capture of a Japanese beetle in American Fork but the exact location is unknown. The state is going to increase their trapping and monitoring program throughout Utah county to determine the population levels throughout the county.  Depending on their results, additional treatment areas may be identified for later this year and will be included in the future treatment program.
 
So what is the impact for beekeepers with hives in the area?  The state is making the following recommendations:
do not keep hives in the quarantined areas or within one mile of the area during the entire 3 year treatment.
when they are going to be applying the pesticides, they are strongly recommending that there are no hives within 4 miles of the treatment area and that hives are kept out this 4 mile radius for about 2 weeks after each treatment.
As beekeepers this does not mean you cannot keep bees in Orem.  The state will begin their treatment plan this June by applying a flowable Merit product directly to turf and ground. You will need to have your hives moved out the 4 mile containment zone no later than June 1. There will be two additional treatments with Tempo in mid June and early July.  This chemical will be applied to the leaves of plants.  Approximately 2 weeks after the last treatment, hives can be moved back into the area (again, not in the actual spray area).  Clint has committed to communicate the spray dates to us so that we can pass them on, however, it is probably a safer bet to have your hives out of the area by June 1 and move them back in around Aug 1.
 
As an association, we need to help our fellow beekeepers in the spray area and within the 4 mile radius locate alternative apiary sites for the duration of the spray/treatment program.  If you need help with a new site or can offer a spot, please let the association know and we can create a list of those who need help and those who can help.
 
If you are unsure about your apiary location and where it sits in the 4 mile radius, shoot us an email.  I have a map of the county and can tell you (based on apiary address) if you are within the four miles or not.  If you are wondering why 4 miles, you should understand that the two pesticides are metabolized by bees in about 8-16 minutes and that based on their flying speed (15mph) bees can cover  3.75 miles (approximately) before the pesticides would kill them.  This distance would prevent (hopefully) the bees from bringing the chemicals back to the hive.
 
Some final points of interest:
the traps apparently look somewhat like a pipe bomb but with colored caps.
the state will be monitoring the impact on native pollinators
there will be monitoring of well water to ensure minimal impact on water shed
there is the ability to check honey if there is a concern about contamination
As more information becomes available, we will pass it directly along to you.  If there is a need for additional meetings, we can arrange them with Clint.

--- End ---

Offline UtahBees

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Re: Japanese Beetle in Utah...
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2007, 04:37:11 pm »
Today I received an update to the first email. Please see this 2nd email below:

--- Start ---

Hello everyone,
I purchased a map of Utah Valley (county) and outlined the 4 mile "no bee" zone for when they spray.  Based on the spray zone and 4 mile radius, the following areas will be off limits for June and July:

  • all of Orem City
  • all of Vineyard City
  • all of Lindon City
  • half of Provo from Utah Lake State park to BYU along Center street (roughly - the area southeast of BYU should be fine)
  • half of Pleasant Grove south from 500 north and west from Proctor Lane to the foothills to the east (again, roughly)
  • there is a small patch of American Fork affected (potentially) at approximately 1500 South and 2800 West
  • there is a small patch of American Fork affected (potentially) at approximately 1500 South and 2800 West

4 miles is a BIG area so be prepared to move far to the north or south to avoid problems.  Again, if you are unsure where your hives are in relation to the 4 mile zone, email me your address and I can tell you how close you are.
I hope this information is useful to you all.

--- End ---

Please see the following for more information, or to get signed up on their mailing list if you are effected:

utahcountybeekeepers.org

Regards,

UtahBees

Offline Cindi

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Re: Japanese Beetle in Utah...
« Reply #2 on: May 01, 2007, 10:24:24 am »
UtahBees.  Wow, that leaves me with my mouth hanging open.  I know that Utah has a high level of beekeepers, the bee is a symbol I have seen used many times with regard to some religious stuff.  I hope all works out well.  I have no comment.  Best of a beautiful day, good health to all.  Cindiu
There are strange things done in the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold.  The Arctic trails have their secret tales that would make your blood run cold.  The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, but the queerest they ever did see, what the night on the marge of Lake Lebarge, I cremated Sam McGee.  Robert Service

Offline Mel

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Re: Japanese Beetle in Utah...
« Reply #3 on: May 06, 2007, 09:59:58 am »
Hello all - Are these people STUPID.It will Kill  good insects also. We live with the japanese beetle, they are easly traped and controlled with nematodes,  State employees  just want to justify ther JOB
The Honey BEE does more good than all the Japanese bettles can harm. :'(

I'm a newbie here, and in my first year with my first hive. I've been notified recently that for the first time, Japanese Beetles were found in my area (Orem, Utah), and thus the county is goign to spray to eradicate them. The issues are that they suggest we move beehives at least 4 miles away from the nearest edge of spraying (see email #2).

Below is the first email message regarding this announcement:

--- Start ---

Greetings everyone.

 
Last night's meeting went very well.  Clint Burfitt with the Division of Plant Industry for the state and Danielle Downey (Salt Lake County bee inspector and Division of Plant Industry employee) both came down to discuss the impact of the Japanese Beetle eradication program on beekeepers in Utah County.  Below is a quick summary of what was discussed specific to beekeeping.
 
First, everyone should be aware that bio control options were evaluated by the state.  Bio controls are very effective  when there is a large established population of Japanese Beetles. In this situation they would not be effective since the population levels are very low and most bio control options are species specific. 
 
Second, the state is asking for the cooperation of all the citizens in the containment area to lend their cooperation as this is the only chance they have of eradicating the beetle before it becomes established in Utah County.  If the beetle does become established in Utah County, the county would enter a quarantine status and producers of turf and ornamental host plants would not be able to export their products outside of the county and this could have some unforeseen economic impacts.
 
Third, there has been a confirmed capture of a Japanese beetle in American Fork but the exact location is unknown. The state is going to increase their trapping and monitoring program throughout Utah county to determine the population levels throughout the county.  Depending on their results, additional treatment areas may be identified for later this year and will be included in the future treatment program.
 
So what is the impact for beekeepers with hives in the area?  The state is making the following recommendations:
do not keep hives in the quarantined areas or within one mile of the area during the entire 3 year treatment.
when they are going to be applying the pesticides, they are strongly recommending that there are no hives within 4 miles of the treatment area and that hives are kept out this 4 mile radius for about 2 weeks after each treatment.
As beekeepers this does not mean you cannot keep bees in Orem.  The state will begin their treatment plan this June by applying a flowable Merit product directly to turf and ground. You will need to have your hives moved out the 4 mile containment zone no later than June 1. There will be two additional treatments with Tempo in mid June and early July.  This chemical will be applied to the leaves of plants.  Approximately 2 weeks after the last treatment, hives can be moved back into the area (again, not in the actual spray area).  Clint has committed to communicate the spray dates to us so that we can pass them on, however, it is probably a safer bet to have your hives out of the area by June 1 and move them back in around Aug 1.
 
As an association, we need to help our fellow beekeepers in the spray area and within the 4 mile radius locate alternative apiary sites for the duration of the spray/treatment program.  If you need help with a new site or can offer a spot, please let the association know and we can create a list of those who need help and those who can help.
 
If you are unsure about your apiary location and where it sits in the 4 mile radius, shoot us an email.  I have a map of the county and can tell you (based on apiary address) if you are within the four miles or not.  If you are wondering why 4 miles, you should understand that the two pesticides are metabolized by bees in about 8-16 minutes and that based on their flying speed (15mph) bees can cover  3.75 miles (approximately) before the pesticides would kill them.  This distance would prevent (hopefully) the bees from bringing the chemicals back to the hive.
 
Some final points of interest:
the traps apparently look somewhat like a pipe bomb but with colored caps.
the state will be monitoring the impact on native pollinators
there will be monitoring of well water to ensure minimal impact on water shed
there is the ability to check honey if there is a concern about contamination
As more information becomes available, we will pass it directly along to you.  If there is a need for additional meetings, we can arrange them with Clint.

--- End ---

Offline Moonshae

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Re: Japanese Beetle in Utah...
« Reply #4 on: June 13, 2007, 10:53:29 pm »
If it were that easy, the beetles wouldn't have gotten that far in the first place. Sounds like they're spraying a lot of toxins to be able to say, "Well, we tried!"
"The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with beer." - Egyptian Proverb, 2200 BC

Offline kensfarm

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Re: Japanese Beetle in Utah...
« Reply #5 on: June 15, 2007, 10:45:16 am »
"The state will begin their treatment plan this June by applying a flowable Merit product directly to turf and ground. You will need to have your hives moved out the 4 mile containment zone no later than June 1. There will be two additional treatments with Tempo in mid June and early July.  This chemical will be applied to the leaves of plants."

How many natural/native insects will they wipe out? 

What about farms that are certified organic? 

The state should be willing to pay for the relocation of hives,   the damage they cause, and the loss of income. 

Our state sprays for gypsy moths..  but apairy locations are mapped and those areas are not sprayed. 

Offline Michael Bush

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Re: Japanese Beetle in Utah...
« Reply #6 on: June 15, 2007, 08:35:22 pm »
Total futility combined with a homemade disaster...
My website:  bushfarms.com/bees.htm en espanol: bushfarms.com/es_bees.htm  auf deutsche: bushfarms.com/de_bees.htm  em portugues:  bushfarms.com/pt_bees.htm
My book:  ThePracticalBeekeeper.com
-------------------
"Everything works if you let it."--James "Big Boy" Medlin

Offline Kirk-o

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Re: Japanese Beetle in Utah...
« Reply #7 on: June 17, 2007, 12:52:46 pm »
Unbelievable.Years ago here in L A they sprayed for these fruit flies at night with helicopters I felt like i was in vietnam.Bugs are part of the enviroment  I don't think you can get ride of them
kirko
"It's not about Honey it's not about Money It's about SURVIVAL" Charles Martin Simmon

Offline UtahBees

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Re: Japanese Beetle in Utah...
« Reply #8 on: June 18, 2007, 09:13:56 pm »
I decided to NOT move my hives, as I am outside of the spraying area I found out.

Also, I'm participating in providing samples to the state (in terms of pollen and dead bees that get taken from the hive), and feel good about leaving the hives there.

The pesticides that they are spraying with are said to be the same kind that your lawn treatment company uses, and half of our neighborhood already has that going.

I'll post again, once some analysis comes out from my contributions.

Regards,

UtahBees