Help, My Bees are Dead

[lovetogarden]

My neighbor installed a 3 thousand dollar mister around her yard that sprays pyrethrum and piperonyl butoxide to kill mosquitoes. It has killed all my bees.
I find dead bees in my flower and veggie gardens. She has the mister on a timer that goes off several times a day.

Is there laws here in Missouri that gives me some recourse? I am very upset as my plants are not being pollenated. Also, my dog is outside most of the day. I read that the piperonyl butoxide is a suspect carcinogen and in dogs causes intestinal bleeding and liver damage. What do I have to do, wait until my dog is poisoned to do anything? Help please.

[Nemophila]

Maybe contact your local branch of the EPA for suggestions?

[lovetogarden]

I did call the EPA and they referred me to the MO Conservation Dept. MCD never called me back. Look what I found on the internet.
http://www.mosquitozone.com/mistingposition

I just do not know of any laws that I can use to keep her from spraying.

[Nemophila]

I clicked on your link and read, and I am horrified for you. I got sick for a week each of the three times my town sprayed for mosquitoes last summer, I cannot imagine trying to live with what you are contending with! The only thing I can think to tell you is keep calling the MCD, in the hopes that they will get back to you. I hope somebody can post here to give you better advice.

[lovetogarden]

nemophila,
the conservation dept called back. Unless I sustain damage (dead bees and
butterflies don't count) no complaint can be filed. So I guess I'll just have to wait until my dog has intestinal bleeding or liver damage or my kids get sick.
Sad, isn't it? Until the EPA makes a ruling on the use of misting devises for the home, there is not much they can do.

I am devestated. My bees are gone. I miss those bumble bees. They would hover over me while I gardened and I would talk to them. Its like losing a friend.

I hope I can talk a little sense into my neighbor.

[redbrick]

Have you talked to your neighbor yet? I know it's hard, but try not to be confrontational about the situation. Instead, try to explain the damages of indescriminate spraying ans the benefits of not spraying. If they're spraying for mosquitoes, suggest a propane trap. They target the little bloodsuckers specifically. Hope this helps!

[lovetogarden]

Shes gone this week on a float trip. This gives me a little time to gather my infor and find a way to present it without making an enemy. I hope she is reasonable.

[goldpearl]

I hope you can communicate with her. The bee population is already hurting this year. Maybe she just isn't aware that she is killing beneficial insects, and hurting other wildlife and birds, and people!
Does she show an interest in gardening or birds? Might be a good way to lead into discussing the sprayers. She may have just thought they were the newest thing and why not have one? Sometimes people are just unaware of the impact of their actions.
Hope you are able to win her over without problems. :(

[farmgirl]

I know attorneys cost money but that would be my next move if she doesn't respond positively to your request to stop spraying. First ask her why she is spraying. Maybe she has exagerated fear of west nile virus. I wouldn't hestitate to take her to small claims court to get restitution for your bee and subsequent produce loss. In some Missouri counties she would have to have a permit to spray like that. Call your extension or your county health dept. It also helps if you can get other neighbors on your side. By any chance does she have a water feature that is attracting mosquitoes?
Do you have a bad problem with bloodsuckers?

[AndrewK]

I'm curious, how did this turn out?

[lovetogarden]

I received a complant form from the MO Conservation Dept. Unless there is some kind of personal injury, I cannot file a complaint so I'm just hanging on to it.



It turned out just as I suspected. She decided since her boyfriend sells the product, its ok. Sometimes she does not think. Her boyfriend is a drunk. He spent 4th of July shooting fireworks like missles across the yard. I had to stand guard becase a few hit the roof of our home.

She is very insensitive. When she first moved into the neighborhood she let her
dog run loose in spite of leash laws. My son who is handicapped and terrified of dogs would refused to go outside and play with the other kids. Even the tickets she received did not stop her from doing what she wanted.

So right now I am laying low. I 'm afraid she might crank up her poison machine if I complain too much.

[wildseed2u]

Hi I have been reading your post and would like to add that there are safer ways to control mosquinto populations with out killing ever other insect around and poisoning your animals and you. If you do a search you might find something that you both can live with. I know many people are a fraid of getting sick from the mosquinto bites and are unaware of all the other problems spraying can do. Besides killing the Mosquitos it can really disrupt the natural balance and actually cause more problems than cures.
George W. Z5 Mo.

[Pickled_Melon]

nemophila,
the conservation dept called back. Unless I sustain damage (dead bees and
butterflies don't count) no complaint can be filed.

however, if you can demonstrate there was an economic loss, the cost of the bees for example and how much honey they produced; or any medical bennefits obtained by being stung (like developing anaphlactic resistance); provide some link to the carcinagenic effects and demonstrate it in your bees then suggest it will kill your dog, too (and you!). there are all kinds of ways to defeat this. just find a creative lawyer.

[Pickled_Melon]

I received a complant form from the MO Conservation Dept. Unless there is some kind of personal injury, I cannot file a complaint so I'm just hanging on to it.


like i said. MCD has it's qualifications, but the realms of civil litigation are where you might try something. it could even be done in small claims without a lawyer.

[Vera_EWASH]

Minnesota Department of Agriculture (http://www.mda.state.mn.us/appd/pesticides/complaints.htm) Have you came across this site yet?

I would also try and find out if she is using any MN restricted pesticides...if she is, she darn well better be a licenced pesticide applicator.

Vera

[lovetogarden]

Vera,
Thank you for posting the site, but I am MO, not MN. I do believe the laws are different. It is hard to say what loss there will be next year as she installed the device at the end of this growing season. I am taking all the advice to heart and will see what I can do next year. Thanks everyone.

[Vera_EWASH]

Opps...I thought I seen MN! I'm real good help huh? LOL

Vera