Protect Your Beehives from Mosquito Spraying

Pinterest Hidden Image

Mosquito spraying is a common practice in many area of the country to reduce mosquito populations and chances of disease. However, many of the chemicals used for pest control are very toxic to honey bees As a beekeeper, it’s important to understand the dangers and strive to protect your beehives when mosquito spraying is scheduled. This guide will provide some helpful tips.

Mosquito spraying truck a danger to nearby beehives image.

By being proactive, you can help safeguard your bees from pesticide exposure. In areas with heavy spraying, this can represent a major challenge in beehive management.

Dangers to Honey Bees from Mosquito Spraying

Unfortunately, it is not rare to hear of an entire apiary being killed by mosquito spraying. I have heard horror stories of local beekeepers losing hives that were too close to roads being sprayed.

Honey bees are killed by:

  • direct exposure in the field
  • contamination of resources (nectar/pollen)
  • residue on hive surfaces

Foraging bees in the field are exposed to pesticides and insecticides as they work to gather resources needed by the colony. Some don’t make it back to the hive before they die.

Flowers can be contaminated with harmful substances that are taken back to the hive. This causes not only death of adult bees but also large losses of bee brood. This can greatly weaken a colony.

Of course, any toxic chemicals on the landing board of the hive will affect bees that are passing through or cleaning and polishing the hive.

It is not always easy to diagnose the reason for a failing beehive that you might be able to fix.. However, handfuls of dead bees at the front of the hive (and on the ground) is the most common sign of bee pesticide poisoning.

I am not talking about a small number of dead (50-100 or so) – this type of poisoning will cause handfuls of dead.

Airplane being used to spray chemicals on crop field image.

Types of Insecticides Used in Mosquito Control

The degree of damage done to a colony of bees depends on the specific insecticide used for mosquito control. Some are more toxic than others. Most commonly used chemicals:

  • Pyrethroids – Synthetic insecticides commonly used in aerial and ground mosquito spraying. They are highly toxic to bees on contact and can cause immediate paralysis or death. (ex: permethrin and deltamethrin).
  • Organophosphates – Less commonly used today, these chemicals disrupt the nervous system of insects but can also severely impact bees. Examples include malathion and naled.

How to Find Out When Mosquito Treatments Will Occur

One of the best ways to protect your beehives from mosquito spraying is to find out when and where spraying is planned.

Many local governments and pest control agencies provide public notices before spraying, but it’s up to beekeepers to seek out this information and take necessary precautions.

Programs like “Driftwatch” in NC can be a valuable resource to beekeepers. Reach out to your local city, county and state government for more info.

Most states have a system in place to warn beekeepers. Locate your local beekeeping association for more information.

If you don’t know who to contact, the agricultural department of each state can direct you to the appropriate agency.

Info chart steps to protect bee hives during treatment for mosquitos.

Steps to Protect Your Beehives from Mosquito Spraying

Dangerous insect pests must be controlled, and spraying is a necessary evil in many locations. So, what’s a beekeeper to do to limit negative effects?

  • register with local authorities for notification
  • in urban areas place hives away from road
  • consider moving hives during season if near crops
  • covering hives to minimize harm

Register to Receive Notification

Register the location of your hives with officials in charge of spraying. Make sure officials know where you are and that you have beehives.  

If you live near farmers, reach out to them and request to know their spraying schedule. Most farmers appreciate hard working bees and know the value of bee pollination. If you approach them in the right way, they are more inclined to help.

Place Hives Away From Street

In regions where street spraying or fogging from a truck is common, do not place your bees near the road. Choose a location (if your property allows) as far away from the spray or drift zone as possible.

Temporarily Moving Beehives

Moving your hives to another location may be an option (especially for beekeepers located close to agricultural fields that experience intense but short period treatments).

The hives must be screened at night after all foragers are in and moved to the new location. However, for the average beekeeper this method of protecting beehives from mosquito spraying is not practical.

Covering Your Hives

Covering the hives is one of the most common ways beekeepers protect their hives from spraying. Though it is not always effective, it may be the only option when you know aerial spraying is scheduled. 

1. At dusk, once all the bees are in – cover the hives with wet burlap, cotton, or similar material. This is to keep the bees from foraging and the wet material can assist in helping keep the beehive cool

2. Plastic can be draped over the hives if the entrance is closed with wire but you don’t want to overheat your bees – they must be able to ventilate themselves.

3. To ensure the bees stay inside, a screen cover over the entrance can allow some hive ventilation.  And the bees should be released as soon as conditions allow. 

If you live in a very hot region, try to avoid locking bees inside or covering them too tightly. You may end up creating more bee deaths than the spraying. 

On the plus side, some of the mosquito insecticides used dissipate and become less toxic quickly – requiring the beehives to be closed for a shorter period.

4. Some beekeepers create large wire cages (similar to tomato plant cages) that will loosely fit over their hives. These are covered with cotton sheeting material. 

This allows some air to flow through while containing the bees inside the hive with a rolled wire entrance block.

In areas where early morning spraying is done, confining the bees for a few hours may give the chemicals time to become less volatile. Ask local officials what they plan to use as their mosquito insecticide.

Good planning and possibly hive coverings can help save some bee lives. Also, providing a water source for bees that you control is a great way to lessen the chance of them collecting contaminated water.

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.

Mosquito biting human is a health risk image.

Bee-Friendly Alternatives

Municipalities are not the only ones involved in the war against insect pests. You can help reduce problems in your own backyard and help protect bees from mosquito spraying.

  • Remove containers of standing water-this is where mosquitos breed
  • Use granular pesticides and insecticides instead of sprays where possible
  • If you must spray do so late in the evening
  • Try mosquito dunks (Bacillus thuringensis israelensis)
  • Do not spray pesticides on blooming plants
  • When hives are nearby – do not spray on windy days
  • be an advocate for pollinators with local agencies
  • encourage bats to live nearby – bats eat bees on a very limited basis but they do eat mosquitos.

Contact Local Agencies

Encourage local officials to use the most bee friendly option while still protecting public health. A bit of positive public pressure can make a difference. Likewise, choose the least toxic formula for your own yard and garden

A popular product is Naled is highly toxic to insects when first sprayed. There are other choices that are not as toxic to bees. Larvicide materials containing Methoprene and Bti kill mosquito larvae and are much safer.  

Beekeepers are somewhat at the mercy of local officials in charge of mosquito control. In recent years, the plight of bees, butterflies and other pollinators has been a news item.

This had led to a closer look at chemicals used for mosquito spraying and resulting in positive changes in many locations. However, that is not always the case.

FAQs

Does mosquito spraying harm honeybees and native pollinators?

Mosquito spraying can harm honey bees and native pollinators too. The degree of harm depends on several factors including the insecticide used and the method of application.

How can beekeepers stay informed about mosquito spraying schedules in their area?

Beekeepers can stay informed about any mosquito spraying in their area by registering with local agricultural extensions found through beekeeping clubs.

Are there specific times of the day or year when bees are most vulnerable to mosquito spraying?

Bees are most active during the day in the warm months of the year. Unfortunately, this is when mosquitos present the most problems too. Try to avoid spraying during the day when the temperatures are warm.

A Final Word

The beekeepers goal to have healthy honey bee colonies involves some things that are out of our control. We must do the best we can to mitigate adverse effects and protect bees from mosquito spraying. The interest of the beekeeper and public agencies can collide over this issue. Still, this necessary service protects public health. 

Additional Resources:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

2 Comments

  1. Ingrid Carle says:

    My friend and I are wanting to possibly start in beekeeping. My friend has a farm and a swam has planted itself on the top. Mosquito abatement sprayed last night but the hive is still there in tact. Would it be safe to try and get them into hive boxes and start with them? Is possible, a quick response would be appreciated

    1. Charlotte Anderson says:

      Sure it is possible to try to start with them but at this time of year. Realize that it may not work.