[LMB] (chat) Bees! or, Life Imitates Art. Again.

[Paula Lieberman]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tracy MacShane" <trix at queerscience.net>


> So, what *are* ground bees? I presume they're not honey bees that a
> local beekeeper could harvest? Because that would be the best option, if
> they are.

There's a specific species of bumblebee that pollinates tomatoes!

Actually, there are some major concerns these days about bee well-being, the 
European honeybees brought to the USA as pollinating insects, are majorly in 
decline these days, between some parasite that weakens them and disease--the 
combination of them has been causing major bee die-offs.  There is a non-bee 
insect that pollinated e.g. apple trees, BUT, it lays its eggs at the same 
time and the eggs hatch into larvae that become worms in the apples..  so, 
commercial orchards spray the trees afterward to prevent infestation by the 
worms

I was being told this stuff by someone whose livelihood in part is very 
dependent on bees--Billy Griggs of Griggs Farm. which sell raises flowers 
and produce and fruit sold direct to the public,

> If they're like wasps, ie. pests, the best thing is to wait for
> nighttime like everyone else suggests to rescue your bucket. To kill
> them, find their nest (again at night), pour petrol down it (a cup or so
> is normally more that sufficient) and block any vents that you see. The
> fumes kill the wasps/hornets/bees, and permeate through the hive much
> more effectively than any spray. Obviously, don't light any fires in the
> vicinity for a while!!