Are Bumble Bees the answer to Pesticide Issues?
According to FastCoExist, bumblebees are bringing a beneficial pesticide as well as helpful fungi to plants in its area. However, bumblebees don't have to use nearly as much pesticide as a sprayer does, mainly because their technique is so much more exact. In the past, some pesticides have actually done more harm than good for plants, usually when non-target plants are affected. Pesticide sprays usually cover a wide area, and may reach a few unintended plants. When this happens, other crops that aren't used to the harsh chemicals will suffer and die, potentially wiping out sections of crops.
The benefits of bumblebees
That's why bumblebees are so great. Though they spread beneficial pesticides, their spray is much smaller than a normal pesticide hose, allowing them to only spray the plants that need it. That means less crops die, and more targeted crops get an effective treatment, without getting oversprayed. Many agricultural organizations have criticized pesticides for polluting crops and causing foods to carry high levels of pesticides that can make people sick. Lettuce is one food that is commonly found to have a high level of pesticides. Conversely, some targeted crops may not get sprayed at all if the scope is too small, leaving them susceptible to harmful types of fungus and pests. Bumblebees make sure to hit every crop, instead of too few or too many.
The new method was created by researchers at the University of Guelph in Ontario. The process first begins with natural, beneficial pesticides that will not hurt the bees when carried. While some types of pesticides have been negatively associated with bees lately, mainly neonicontinoid pesticides, this type can only benefit the environment. The farmers who use the powdered product will place it inside the bumblebee's beehive. Then when the bumblebee goes to leave on its way to pollinate the plants in its region, it ends up crossing through the pesticide on its way out. As it's on their legs, the pesticide will transport onto the leaves once a bee lands to pollinate the flowers.
Helping the environment
The small amount of powder delivered by bees not only prevents overspraying, it also stops the process of runoff, another major issue in the environmental industry. Runoff can seep into the ground and carry down to other nontarget crops, but it can also get into yards, sources of water and other unwanted areas, according to the Global Healing Center, leaving people, animals and plants sick. With traditional pesticide spraying, the chemical is mixed with several gallons of water to dilute it. However, with this method, 99 percent of the spray ends up in an unwanted spot. Only 1 percent reaches the desired set of plants.
Currently, the new pesticide process is being used for apple trees. In the past, apple farmers have had difficulty reaching all of their apple trees with pesticides as many grow at different times. However, with distribution from bumblebees, no trees are missed, regardless of when they begin blooming. It also stops the development of common diseases such as botrytis, a condition commonly seen on fruit that causes it to grow mold at a faster rate than it normally might.
Hopefully, this method will be used on other fruits soon. Right now, the pesticide seems to be competing with other traditional types, and can be used by regular farmers, not just organic growers. The developers of the product are hopeful that this new process will inspire a turn in the agricultural market that puts safer produce on shelves without getting people sick.
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About The Author
Susan Massie, Sales & Marketing Director, Greyhound Chromatography and Allied Chemicals Email: sue@greyhoundchrom.com
Susan Massie is the Sales & Marketing Director for Greyhound Chromatography and Allied Chemicals, affectionately known as 'Greyhound' in our scientific community. Greyhound was founded by Susan's husband Paul Massie more than 40 years ago, Susan hasn't been in the business for all of that time but has been involved with Greyhound for over 19 years. Greyhound continues to grow, expanding into new markets and taking on the challenges of our ever changing environment. It's heartwarming to witness the world waking up to the fact that we are damaging our planet on a daily basis. Every action we take has a direct effect on our planet and the world we leave behind for future generations. Susan is passionate about climate change and is happy to work in an industry that can have a direct effect on reducing the impact of our actions on the environment. All of the team at Greyhound take our responsibilities very seriously, the products that we supply are used by the world's leading scientists and chemists as they endeavour to monitor and repair the environment. All is not lost, if we all take responsibility for our actions, from reducing our waste and reusing or recycling our material collateral we can make a difference. The internet is full of useful advice and guidance, Susan is proud to contribute to that wealth of knowledge whenever she can.
Greyhound prides itself on personal service which provides prompt, efficient, cost-effective, safe delivery of all products. Greyhound provides technical advice and distribution of Certified Reference Standards and Materials, Laboratory Consumables, Solvents and Reagents across all scientific disciplines. Greyhound Chromatography offers over 1 Million products from its UK warehouse. The team at Greyhound are proud to support the work of the world's leading scientists and chemists as they challenge the abuse of our planet and try to make a difference to the world we leave behind for our ancestors.
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