Thousands of bees die due to insecticide poisoning

Insecticide is to blame for the recent death of thousands of bees in the Constantia Valley near Cape Town, according to Brendan Ashley-Cooper, vicechairperson of the Western Cape Bee Industry Association and a commercial bee farmer.

He said beekeepers in the valley had reported losses of large numbers of honeybees, with about 36% of the bees in the hives in his operation being lost. In addition to farmed bees dying off, wild swarms were also perishing.

Ashley-Cooper said he had some of the dead bees tested at a laboratory in Cape Town. “The laboratory results indicated that traces of Fipronil, a broadspectrum insecticide used to control ants, were present.”

He explained that the problem with this pesticide was that it was mixed with molasses and sprayed on crops. The sweet taste of the concoction attracted the bees and the poisonous substance was then carried back to their hives.

He explained that the negligent and incorrect use of crop protection chemicals had proven to be the biggest killer of bees in South Africa. Although it had not been established exactly where the insecticide came from, Ashley-Cooper applauded the farming community of Constantia Valley for the concern expressed and the cooperation offered. He added that the current state of bee colonies in the Western Cape was healthy, with a very low percentage of American foulbrood present. However, despite the good health of the bees, the viability of local beekeeping was at risk.

“Bee numbers are dwindling due to the eradication of Eucalyptus trees. These trees, a major source of bee forage, should be conserved and protected in areas not sensitive to water conservation.”

– Jeandré van der Walt

Brendan Ashley-Cooper ABOVE: Thousands of bees in the Constantia Valley near Cape Town have died due to pesticide poisoning.