Author Topic: question on spraying.  (Read 6141 times)

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Offline Yankee11

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question on spraying.
« on: August 13, 2014, 03:05:33 pm »
The farmer with the sunflowers also has soybeans. The soybeans are directly behind my hives and are only about 6 inches high. not blooming. He called me and said the have a infestation of Army Worms and need to spray. (Man do I like this guy) Anyway. looks like they are gonna spray early in the morning.

It is supposed to be an unbelievable 61 degrees tonight. I don't think the bees will be flying early in the morning with the temps at 61.

Should I go ahead and close up the hives anyway. And should I even do anything seeing that the beans are not even blooming. With the sunflowers the bees are don't even fly to the soybeans.

Also, they are using a tractor, not a crop duster.

Offline iddee

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Re: question on spraying.
« Reply #1 on: August 13, 2014, 06:02:51 pm »
I would cover the hives with a cheap plastic tarp or similar, then remove it when the spraying is done.

Spray on the soy beans, no problem. Spray settling on the hives may be a problem.
“Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”
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Offline apisbees

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Re: question on spraying.
« Reply #2 on: August 13, 2014, 08:22:36 pm »
The bees will be attracted to the moisture in the mist of the spray until it drys as moisture that they will bring into the hive. If you have running water close enough to set a sprinkler on the hives this is the best and safest. cover the hives with a white sheet and with the sprinkler raining down over head the bees think it is raining and stay inside it also dilutes the chemical in any spray mist that makes it to the hives. One the spray mist is dry remove the sheet and let the bees fly.
If water is not close by I would screen them in and use a white plastic sheet draped loosely to protect against spray mist. 61 deg is on the edge of bee forage weather that is listed at 62 deg so the bees will want to fly before the chemical mist is dry. If the winds or breeze is favorable away from the hive then you will not have to worry about the chemical mist drifting into the hives, if not then it can be an issue. If possible providing the bees with water in an in-hive, Hive top, or feed jar, will give them the water they need to air condition the hive if they get to hot.
Honey Judge, Beekeeping Display Coordinator, Armstrong Fair and Rodeo.

Offline Jen

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Re: question on spraying.
« Reply #3 on: August 13, 2014, 08:27:21 pm »
Brilliant Apis!
There Is Peace In The Queendom

Offline LazyBkpr

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Re: question on spraying.
« Reply #4 on: August 14, 2014, 01:13:02 am »
Well said Apis!
Drinking RUM before noon makes you a PIRATE not an alcoholic!

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Offline Yankee11

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Re: question on spraying.
« Reply #5 on: August 14, 2014, 08:13:49 am »
Got them closed and covered.

Talked to farmer last night and he is spraying first thing this morning. no wind and he said he will have spray boom close to ground to minimize drift. I asked him if he would start by the hives and then work his way away from hives.

Really good guy to work with.

Thanks for the help.

Offline apisbees

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Re: question on spraying.
« Reply #6 on: August 14, 2014, 08:27:38 am »
The no wind is a bit of a misconception as the spraying process creates its own wind. So there will always be a little drift even on calm days.
Honey Judge, Beekeeping Display Coordinator, Armstrong Fair and Rodeo.

Offline Yankee11

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Re: question on spraying.
« Reply #7 on: August 14, 2014, 08:52:38 am »
Well, yea, I just meant very calm.  Winds supposed to pick up to the high speed of 5mph in the afternoon. :) Just went outside and nothing moving.

The good parts about this, is the guys willingness to work with and notify me. Much better than the crop dusters just flying around without any notice.

Offline efmesch

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Re: question on spraying.
« Reply #8 on: August 14, 2014, 03:26:26 pm »
Yankee, let's face it, some people are blessed with good neighbors.  I'm sure you've earned his concern for your hives and their welfaare.

Offline apisbees

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Re: question on spraying.
« Reply #9 on: August 14, 2014, 06:11:15 pm »
He also realizes that the bees are are doing a job for him on his other crop and the bees if they get sprayers they will effect his other crops. This is why farmers that grow different crops are more aware of what is happening in the fields.
Honey Judge, Beekeeping Display Coordinator, Armstrong Fair and Rodeo.

Offline Yankee11

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Re: question on spraying.
« Reply #10 on: August 16, 2014, 11:49:19 pm »
Went very well. I screened the entrances the night before and covered hives with plastic before he sprayed, Let dry for about 30 minutes then incovered and released them.

I see this relationship as going very well.  :)

Offline Jen

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Re: question on spraying.
« Reply #11 on: August 16, 2014, 11:57:28 pm »
Yay Yankee, all the pluses are lining up for you this season.  Bravo  :thread:
There Is Peace In The Queendom

Offline efmesch

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Re: question on spraying.
« Reply #12 on: August 17, 2014, 03:24:05 am »
Went very well. I screened the entrances the night before and covered hives with plastic before he sprayed, Let dry for about 30 minutes then incovered and released them.

I see this relationship as going very well.  :)

Your experience should serve as a good lesson to all beekeepeeers, especially those who think it is too much trouble to cover the hives for their own protection.  The whole process was well worth the effort----especially considering what could have been the results without have taken your precautioins.
 :goodjob: