As many area communities prepare for their annual spring and summer mosquito sprayings to control insect populations, local beekeepers have concerns about the pesticides’ impact on their bees.

Several townships and cities are already planning for the mosquito sprayings usually held from May to September.

However, Braceville trustees recently decided not to spray so far this year — noting concerns from residents who have bees. Braceville Trustee Chairman Jeff Tucker said the continuing novel coronavirus pandemic also played a factor in the decision to wait or not spray this year, but he noted township officials do get concerns from beekeepers.

“Whenever we plan to spray, there are calls and concerns from local beekeepers. We usually block their properties off the spray list. One resident even has a bat house for controlling mosquitoes, so we block that property off also,” Tucker said.

He said while the township will not spray this spring, officials may discuss it again for possibly later this year after the coronavirus concerns ease, because funds are limited in many communities.

TOUCHY SUBJECT

Ed Freel, a beekeeper from Fowler with the Trumbull Beekeepers Association, said “mosquito spraying is often a touchy subject with beekeepers.”

“Many beekeepers are concerned with the chemicals that are used for mosquito spraying. There were some people a few years ago in Champion that lost bees that were upset. We had a speaker with the Pollinator Stewardship Program who discussed the different chemicals used for mosquito spraying,'” Freel said.

He said he agrees with other beekeepers that the best time for spraying is at night.

“Even at dusk, the forager bees may still be out as far as a mile or more and have not returned to the hives,” he said.

Freel said early notice of when sprayings will take place is very important as beekeepers can make accommodations and cover their hives or keep the bees in that day or days.

He said an email or some notification will help prepare the busy beekeepers.

“There are some of us who have a lot of hives. It is better we be notified by email reminder of the sprayings. Communication is what is most important. It is a two-way street,” Freel said.

He said he expects, after the mild winter, there will be more of a need for mosquito spraying this year.

Freel said most township and government officials want to do what they can to help beekeepers while also dealing with the mosquitoes.

Rick Becker of Heritage Farms in North Bloomfield, said mosquito spraying has always been a big issue for beekeepers.

Becker, who for many years was the Trumbull County bee inspector, said he remembers inspecting three years ago in Champion off state Route 305 when some beekeepers there lost their bees to what is believed to be spraying.

CLOSE THE HIVES

“We addressed the matter with the trustees then. It is important that when there is spraying, the Ohio Department of Agriculture be notified so that beekeepers can know when sprayings are taking place. When notified ahead of time, beekeepers can make arrangements and shut up their hives. This can be a total manageable process,” Becker said.

He said hives can be closed and not reopened until the fog spraying is done.

Becker said he agrees that the spraying application must be done at night and perhaps more in the wetland areas where there is more water that attracts mosquitoes. When bees are found dead, beekeepers can collect them and have them inspected to determine the cause. Becker said if bees are poisoned, it may take a few days to determine that.

He said he has also spoken to farmers who spray their crops and fields to get rid of other insect pests, noting this spraying is also a concern for beekeepers who may have hives nearby.

“It is not just bees. Any insect can be affected, Bees are considered livestock in Ohio. Bees have a big enough challenge already. Pesticides are a stress on the bees,” he said.

bcoupland@tribtoday,com