APIS Volume 9, Number 7, July 1991

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APIS

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In this issue

• Mosquito Spraying Issues
• Formic Acid Use Issues
• Florida's Tropical Blossom Honey Co.
• African Bee Status
• Georgia Extension Bee News
• More on Organic Labelling

MOSQUITO SPRAYING ON THE RISE

Hot weather and lots of rain are producing mosquitos. This means telephone calls to mosquito control agencies which often result in pesticide application. I have had several reports of bee kills resulting from spraying this summer. It is incumbent on beekeepers to get to know their mosquito control agency and find out how and where it operates. Most bee kills as a result of spraying for mosquitos have to do with (1) aerial spraying; (2) blooming nectar plants; and (3) daylight hours. All three put together is guaranteed to be a disaster for colonies in an area. Eliminating any of the above factors greatly reduces the risk of subsequent bee kill.

Many small counties in Florida have no aerial spraying capability, but large outbreaks of mosquitos might mean contracting with an independent applicator that does. This on-again, off-again arrangement is the most dangerous for beekeepers because contractors may not be familiar with bee locations or in close communication with the employing mosquito control agency. Most mosquito control agencies are aware that application affects colonies and will work with beekeepers to avoid kills.

If, in spite of efforts to communicate with mosquito control agencies, bees are killed, the only recourse may be through the legal system. An article in American Bee Journal (Vol. 131, No. 7, July, 1991, pp. 437-439) by D. Mayer and E. and C. Johansen provides some tips on handling these situations:

1. Perform frequent inspections for bee kills in apiaries located in high risk areas.
2. If a bee kill is suspected, contact a state apiary inspector and the state department of agriculture for assistance.
3. Take photos of anything associated with the kill.
4. Obtain dead bee samples and have them chemically analyzed to determine insecticide residues. Also collect duplicate samples.
5. If a bee kill is substantial, consider retaining an expert consultant for investigative purposes.
6. Contact persons in the vicinity for information they might have on pesticide application procedure.
7. When chemical analysis tests positive for an insecticide, find out as much as possible about the material. Get a copy of the label to determine how it can be legally applied and compare it with field reports either by the organization doing the application or eye witnesses to the event.
8. Finally, contact a lawyer with expertise in these types of cases to help with discussions concerning settling the case out of court. If these discussions fail, consider filing a lawsuit.

Haste is all important when collecting evidence of a bee kill by insecticide. The most critical part is collecting the samples. Bear in mind that samples of freshly dead or actively dying bees are much more likely to have detectable pesticide residues. Samples should be frozen immediately and be collected by an independent THIRD PARTY (such as the bee inspector, or Cooperative Extension Service agent), NOT by the beekeeper. Finally, it is extremely important that the testing facility be provided with some idea about the specific pesticide used. Without this information, it is almost impossible for any laboratory to find the culpable chemical.

Given what has to be done when a bee kill occurs, many beekeepers simply write off the loss to experience. In most cases it costs more to pursue a claim than the loss itself. The cheapest, most effective course of action continues to be prevention. This may require only a small effort to communicate with potential applicators and the potential dividends are enormous.

FORMIC ACID FOR MITE CONTROL

There's been a lot of information recently on use of formic acid for mite control. The material has several things going for it including the fact that it is a natural product, fairly inexpensive and is effective against both tracheal and Varroa mites. However, my colleague at the University of California in Davis, Eric Mussen, laments that some facts have been left out in all the folderol. First of all, the material doesn't have a label and so cannot be legally used. Second, its potentially dangerous to users. Here's what he writes in his newsletter,From the UC Apiaries.

Formic acid is the simplest carboxylic acid with a formula of H-C-OOH. It has a molecular weight of 46.03 and is described as a "colorless, fuming liquid with a pungent, penetrating odor." It boils at 216 degrees F, melts at 35 degrees F, has a specific gravity of 1.2, a vapor pressure of 23 mm Hg at 20 degrees C, mixes well with water, alcohol, ether and glycerol, and has an odor threshold at 21 ppm.

Vapor-air mixtures of 18-57% are explosive, if the ambient temperature is at or above 122 degrees F and the mixture is ignited by a spark. The vapors are heavier than air and may travel a considerable distance to source of ignition and flashback. However, fire is not a major concern.

1. Organic acids are dangerous materials to handle. If you spill formic acid on your skin, expect severe pain, brown or yellowish stains, burns that usually penetrate the full thickness of the skin, have sharply defined edges, and heal slowly with scar tissue formation. If you spill it on your clothes and don't wash it out, chronic exposure can lead to dermatitis (rash), protein precipitation, and red blood cells in urine.
2. Splashed into eyes, formic acid causes pain, tears, blurred vision and photosensitization (lights are too bright). In severe cases, conjunctival edema (swelling around eyes) leads to destruction of corneas.
3. If someone accidentally drank formic acid, it would cause severe burning pain in the mouth, throat and abdomen; followed by vomiting, watery or bloody diarrhea, tenesmus (painful straining during urination), retching, hemolysis (ruptured blood cells), hematuria (blood cells in urine), anuria, liver and kidney damage with jaundice, hypotension (low blood pressure), collapse, convulsions, coma and paralysis.
4. The most subtle effects involve inhalation. Opening a container of formic acid in an enclosed space liberates fumes. At 100 ppm, the fumes are immediately dangerous to life and health. Inhalation at low concentrations causes tearing, rhinorrhea (runny nose), coughing, throat irritation, and headache. Higher concentrations may produce the previous symptoms, followed in six to eight hours by pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs), tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing, dizziness, frothy expectoration and cyanosis (bluish or purplish skin discoloration due to lack of oxygen in the blood). Breathing only a little at a time over prolonged periods can lead to erosion of the teeth, local tissue death in the jaw, bronchial irritation with chronic cough, frequent attacks of bronchial pneumonia and gastrointestinal disturbances.

If there is any good news in the story, it is that formic acid does not appear to be carcinogenic. It is a mutagen (causes mutations in genetic material).

Use of proper protective equipment is a must when handling formic acid. The chemical container should be opened only in a room with powerful exhaust ventilation. The acid is strong enough to eat through some forms of plastics, rubber and coatings. Employees must wear appropriate protective clothing and equipment to prevent any possibility of skin contact with this substance, including appropriate gloves, splash-proof or dust-resistant safety goggles and faceshield.

If a person is going to be in an atmosphere where there are 100 ppm (0.01%) formic acid, one of the following must be worn:

• A. Chemical cartridge respirator with an organic vapor cartridge and a full face mask.
• B. Dust, mist and fume respirator.
• C. Gas mask with an organic vapor canister (chin-style, front- or back- mounted canister).
• D. Supplied-air respirator with a full face piece, helmet or hood. E. Self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece.

We hope this information is convincing. Formic acid MUST be handled with care.

TROPICAL BLOSSOM IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Tropical Blossom Honey Co. in Edgewater, Florida was recently featured in Insight, the newsletter of the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA). Mr. Dave McGinnis began the company in 1940 with $250.00. Tropical Blossom now has sales in twenty foreign countries and is the leading independent U.S. exporter of honey.

As an example of the possibilities in the honey export market, the article describes a "Quid pro Quo" arrangement with a Swedish importer, Curt Strandberg. In exchange for Mr. Strandberg's representation in Scandinavia, Mr. McGinnis would assist in securing U.S. distributors for Strandberg's jams and jellies. In addition to Scandinavia, Tropical Blossom has expanded its exporting to Asia, Europe, the Caribbean and the Middle East.

Honey exporting has had its ups and downs. Tropical Blossom entered the business in the 1960s, but lost much of its sales during the mid 1980s when price supports were in place and the dollar was strong. Creation of the National Honey Board, however, along with the government's "Buy-Back" program, have allowed processors to purchase domestic honey at world prices while protecting the producer. Thus, perseverance has paid off for Mr. McGinnis, quoted in the article as saying that trade regulations and barriers are not exclusive to the honey industry. But the effects can be minimized by joining trade associations like SUSTA, attending trade shows and getting to personally know your foreign customers.

SUSTA is headquartered in New Orleans. It works to promote export sales of agricultural and food products from fifteen southern states and Puerto Rico by helping producers and distributors target potential overseas markets, and administers federal funds for international market development. For more information, write SUSTA, 2 Canal St., Suite 1540, New Orleans, LA 70130-1408, ph 504/568-5986 or FAX 504/568-6010.

AFRICAN BEE STATUS

The African honey bee invasion is now well underway in Texas, according to an article in Bee Science, Vol. 1, No. 3, May, 1991. Swarms (latest count is over 70) have been found from Brownsville to Laredo. Between 20 to 25% of swarms captured are testing Africanized, a larger percentage than expected, says Elba Quintero, APHIS project manager, who also predicts the percentage will rise to 50% by 1992. The article reports one estimate of three swarms uncaptured for every one found in a bait hive. A number of governmental agencies as well as beekeepers are collecting swarms and twelve counties in southern Texas are under quarantine.

Information in both Spanish and English is reaching the general public which is diligently reporting swarms, the article says. The message is "Don't Bug the Bees." Health department officials don bee suits and use soapy water to destroy swarms. In addition, the article discusses the first stinging attack on a Brownsville man who was not seriously injured. The bees were established in a concrete drainage pipe, part of a residential driveway.

The article concludes that the bees are 50 miles north of the border and making a strong push northward. They aren't expected to reach San Antonio in 1991.

GEORGIA NEWS

There have been some recent apicultural developments in our neighboring state of Georgia. Dr. Keith Delaplane was hired as the extension apiculturist and his program is getting off the ground. He writes the monthly column "Strictly for the Hobbyist," in the American Bee Journal, and has recently published a beginners book on bees. Entitled: Honey Bees and Beekeeping, the 23 page pamphlet describes everything from honey bee biology to dealing with unwanted colonies. Limited copies of the publication are available from Georgia Cooperative Extension offices or for $.30 by contacting Carol Nimmons, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, ph 404/542- 8944.

The first edition of Dr. Delaplane's newsletter dedicated to Georgia beekeeping is also out. The Georgia Bee Letter, dedicated to promoting good bee practices must be obtained from the Cooperative Extension Offices in Georgia. Unlike this newsletter, it is not mailed out from the University.

Dr. Delaplane's efforts are fine additions to the southeastern extension honey bee educational effort. Should you want to meet him up close and personal, he has kindly consented to attend this year's Florida Beekeepers Institute.

MORE ON ORGANIC LABELLING

I have had some questions concerning the standards I published in May for organic certification. The state has yet to identify any third party certifiers according to Richard Gunnels, Director of Organic Certification Program, Rm 431 Mayo Bldg., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0800, ph 904/488-9682. In the next month or so, he will have the names of some certifiers. Persons with interest in being certified should contact Mr. Gunnels directly. Others with information on the certification process include Mark Ketchel, Organic Crop Improvement Association, Rt. #3, Box 326, Alachua, FL 32615, ph 9094/462-1302 or Robin Lauriault, a member of the Organic Food Advisory Council, ph 904/475-2037, Melrose, FL.

For later information on developments in this arena see February 1996 APIS.

Malcolm T. Sanford
Bldg 970, Box 110620
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611-0620
Phone (904) 392-1801, Ext. 143 FAX: 904-392-0190
http://www.ifas.ufl.edu/~entweb/apis/apis.htm
INTERNET Address: MTS@GNV.IFAS.UFL.EDU
©1991 M.T. Sanford "All Rights Reserved