Permethrin is harmful to bees

Dear neighbor, I recently discovered that you are using permethrin. The use of pesticides harms insects, such as bees, because when ingested, they act like poisons in the stomach, causing them to die. After application, the substance acts for up to 12 weeks and can cause more destruction than other pesticides. Honey bees produce honey that people use to cure a variety of ailments such as colds and sore throats.It prevents cancer and heart disease, heals burns and wounds, and helps regulate blood sugar levels. increase. Killing an adult bee reduces the amount of nectar collected. The insecticide also kills the eggs and larvae. If all people were using the insecticide we would kill all the bees (Juan-Borrás, Domenech & Escriche, 2016). They are natural creatures they cannot be replaced. Bees have benefits to human beings they deserve to be protected because of the benefits of honey that people derive from consuming the product. I would suggest other means such as natural products or the product Spinosad in the early morning and late evening

Permethrin is a chemical that is extremely toxic to bees. It also affects other animals for instance rats. Those handling the substance are also advised to put protective masks to avoid any inhalation of the substance. Skin and eye contact are known to irritate the person affected. The substance has low mammalian toxicity; however, it still has adverse effects. The usage should, therefore, be eliminated and people should be encouraged to use substitutes for example natural products that have little impact on the environment (Juan-Borrás, Domenech & Escriche, 2016). Other alternatives include spinosad an insecticide made through the fermentation of bacteria where sugar cane has been grown previously.

The use of Spinosad should be limited to early morning and late evening. It will reduce contact with the bees as they move around only during the day. Permethrin lasts for twelve weeks in the environment. When sprayed, the next day the insects will come to contact and they will die. Spinosad only lasts for a short period a maximum of twenty-four hours, and therefore the effect on the animals would be minimal. We need to be cautious about the chemical substance that we use as we all depend on the environment for survival. Natural resources are scarce, and they should be well protected for future generations. A reduction of the availability of the resources may create war as we strive to satisfy our limited wants using the limited resources available.

Previous studies have indicated that Spinosad has a little effect on the honey bees. It also does not affect the activities of the bees in the hives and brood development. When used on crops, there is an indication that the substance dries after three hours and therefore causing little or no effect on the honey bees (Goulson, 2013). There are other forms of insecticides available also that have little effect, and I would recommend before purchasing the substance it is good to consider the implications and the benefits. Most of the information is available on the websites. It is also essential to consider consulting the available experts for instance from the shops that sell the products about the effects before purchase.

Other options to recommend include the use of insecticidal soap. It is used to control pests in plants, and the mammalian toxicity is low making it the safest method to use even around children animals and pets. It only kills the pests upon contact, and those that arrive for instance after the substance has dried will not be affected (Chang, Barron & Cheng, 2015). Not all insects are harmful; others have significant benefits to the environment and man. From an ethics perspective, it is morally wrong to use a substance that will affect the neighbors. As farmers, we all engage in different farming activities. Some farmers specialize in poultry, bee keeping, and others on crop farming. We need to protect the agricultural activities of others when introducing farming methods on our farms. Consideration should be given to the implications and the outcome of the use of insecticide. If it can harm the neighbors, then it is not the best option to use.

The two options I have is the use of insecticidal soap and Spinosad. There are however other options that are available. Conducting research or visiting an expert in farming methods will give you the appropriate information. My concern is the effects it has on the honey bees and the general effect on the environment. All insecticides are poisonous, but the toxicity levels are different depending on the concentration of the chemicals.

Finally, in society, we should be each other keepers. Minding about each other increases the level of trust and builds a friendship that is crucial in society. We cannot ignore the actions of our neighbors if they affect our activities. I have considered the option of informing you through the letter as time is limited and finding time in our busy schedules is difficult. I hope you find the options and your response will be appreciated.

Yours sincerely,

Neighbour.

References

Chang, L., Barron, A., & Cheng, K. (2015). Effects of the juvenile hormone analogue methoprene on rate of behavioural development, foraging performance and navigation in honey bees (Apis mellifera). Journal Of Experimental Biology, 218(11), 1715-1724. http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.119198

Goulson, D. (2013). REVIEW: An overview of the environmental risks posed by neonicotinoid insecticides. Journal of Applied Ecology, 50(4), 977-987. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.12111

Juan-Borrás, M., Domenech, E., & Escriche, I. (2016). Mixture-risk-assessment of pesticide residues in retail polyfloral honey. Food Control, 67, 127-134. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2016.02.051