I was wondering if anyone in Melbourne has hives which have been affected by the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, use of Imidacloprid to treat Pine trees for presence of Giant Pine Scale?
I contacted the Department over 5 months ago, as we border the area being treated, for information & last week received a letter telling me of treatment of cereal crops for Russian Wheat Aphid, in the west of Victoria with Pirimicarb & chlorpyrifos & other chemicals.
I was seeking information from them on when they were treating the trees, notice of those treated, length of time agent active for. As a registered Beekeeper I am supposed to be notified by them of treatments being planned/activated. I have called them numerous times, only to be fobbed off with a promise of a callback, which has never eventuated.
The following letter is all I have had. It may be of use to some other Beekeepers in Vic/SA? It is dated 20/06, was actually received 08/07.
If anyone has noticed any issues with their bees & knows of Pirimicarb treatments in their area would like to hear from you!
I’ve attached the letter received re RWA for reference. I think we need to approach the Dept. & strongly ‘encourage’ them to do something about their choice of chemicals. Its not only EHB’s that are affected, there is a lot of native fauna which use the pines as a source of food in the increasing absence of native flora.
Info for areas GPS treatment,
http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/pests-diseases-and-weeds/pest-insects-and-mites/giant-pine-scale