TERRE HAUTE —
The Sugar Creek Bee Club in Parke County is not short on novice bee keepers. One of their oldest members is 71-year old Wayne Price. He got into beekeeping in 1971. Price paints a landscape of the past that is much different than the world bees live in today; he says bees were common and everywhere.
“I lived in a house in 1971, and there were bee trees at my place, where I could see from my house. If you went out into the woods, there were bees. It would seem like you could walk down the road and you would see a swarm on a fence post. It was a common thing,” Price said.
The beginning decline of bees
Starting in about 1980, Price started to notice mites coming in. In the 1980s mites were the biggest thing Price had ever seen destroy bees. According to the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Varroa mites are external honeybee parasites that attack both the adults and the brood. They suck the blood from both the adults and the developing brood, weakening and shortening the life span.
“There were so many mites, you would extract honey and you could see them in the honey,” Price said.
Bees take a hit from chemicals
In the 1990s bees took another hit, this time from chemicals. The Exerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation recently released the report Are Neonicotinoids Killing Bees? The reports says neonicotinoid pesticides were first registered for use in the mid-1990s. Since then, these chemicals have become widely adopted for use on farm crops, landscape plants and trees. Neonicotinoids are systemic chemicals; they are absorbed by the plant and are transferred through the vascular system, making the plant itself toxic to insects. Because the chemical is absorbed into the plant, neonictinoids can be present in pollen and nectar, making these floral resources toxic to pollinators that feed on them.
Researchers at Purdue University have also linked honeybee deaths to insecticide exposure. The researchers’ analysis found bees dead in and around hives from several apiaries over two years in Indiana. The honeybees showed the presence of neonicotinoid insecticides. The corn pollen that bees were bringing back into their hives tested positive for neonicontinoids at levels roughly below 100 parts per billion. Purdue University associate professor of entomology and co-author of the study said “That’s enough to kill bees if sufficient amounts are consumed, but it is not acutely toxic.”
“I have seen right in the middle of the daytime a cornfield filled with beautiful yellow wild mustard. Then a crop duster would fly by and kill the wild mustard. Every bee that was in that field died right there. The ones that could get back to the hive had to bring it [the chemical] back with them,” Price said.
Additionally, the Dow Chemical company is on the verge of winning regulatory approval for corn that is genetically engineered to be immune to “2,4-D” — a powerful herbicide that was also a primary component of Agent Orange. This will allow farmers to spray the chemical on crops to kill weeds, without harming the corn.
Learning from our mistakes
Price says when he was young, officials didn’t know DDT was bad for our health. According to the National Pesticide Information Center, DDT was a commonly-used pesticide for insect control in the United States until it was canceled in 1972 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Growers used DDT on a variety of food crops in the United States and worldwide. Some of the crops were beans, cotton and soybeans. DDT was a versatile insecticide because it was effective, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and persists in the environment.
“If they didn’t catch the problems with DDT there wouldn’t be an eagle or hawk now,” Price said.
DDT is slightly to moderately acutely toxic to birds when ingested. However, DDT causes reproductive problems in birds. DDE, a metabolite of DDT, causes eggshell thinning in birds which make the eggs more susceptible to fracturing.
Moving forward
Price says corn and beans were raised for years without the use of anything but fertilizer. He guesses with more people on the planted the demand for grain increased. More grain would equal more weeds to get out of the field. Price says some of the newer chemicals are an easy and simple solution.
To bring more attention to the problem, Price encourages people to “stand up and say something. It has always been said if enough people say something, they will listen. We do need to say something about it. We need a lot of good, young, intelligent people to stand up and start writing about it,” he said.
Beekeepers can also use the program called Driftwatch. Driftwatch is a tool to help protect pesticide-sensitive crops and habitats in Indiana. Managers of apiaries may register. Pesticide applicators can easily locate registered sites before they spray using a Google Map interface. For more information visit driftwatch.agriculture.purdue.edu/index.html.
Jane Santucci is an environmental freelance writer for the Tribune-Star. Santucci is a proud volunteer with TREES Inc. and Our Green Valley. She also sits on the Wabash Valley Goodwill Industries Board of Directors. Share your environmental stories and tips with her at JaneSantucci@yourgreenvalley.com.
Valley Life
YOUR GREEN VALLEY: Bringing attention to the hits bees have taken through the years
- Valley Life
-
-
FAMILY TIES: While searching for my grandfather, I found my mother
I remember the afternoon my mother received the chilling news from her nephew that her oldest sister and brother-in-law had been killed in a car/bus collision.
-
GRAPE SENSE: Same old whites getting you down? Try something different
If the same old Chardonnay, Riesling or Pinot Grigio is getting you down, try something different.
-
TRIED ‘N’ TRUE: A Rhubarb Nut Bread for the season
Last fall we went to the Covered Bridge Festival. Gene loves to go. Anyway, I got to talking to this lady, Treva Smith, at Bridgeton.
-
ENGAGEMENT: Published May 12, 2013
Stoelting-Steele
-
Friends of Library plans annual book sale
The Friends of the Vigo County Public Library is planning its annual book sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 1 to 4 p.m. May 19 in the Main Library Lower Level Meeting Rooms A, B, C and D.
-
Woman’s Press Club celebrates 100 years
On Feb. 18, 1913, a group of 13 female journalists and activists met for lunch at the Tea Room in L. S. Ayres Department Store in downtown Indianapolis to found the Woman’s Press Club of Indianapolis.
-
Children’s Museum to host orientation for summer volunteers
Those who are looking for a way to give back to the community and have fun at the same time are invited to attend a volunteer orientation session at the Terre Haute Children’s Museum from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
-
Walk for greyhound rescue
A family pet walk fundraiser open to all breeds is set for at 2 p.m. May 19 at Buggs Temple on the Canal Walk in Indianapolis.
-
‘Food Safety: From Garden Gates to Dinner Plates’ workshop coming up in June
There is a new law on the books in Illinois called the Cottage Food Operation Act of 2011. This new law allows for the preparation and sale of certain low-risk foods in the private home without the expense of a commercially certified kitchen and for the sale of said foods at a farmers market.
-
Scams are brown bag focus
The Vigo County Public Library’s next brown bag event, “Don’t Be a Victim!” featuring Amy Wardlow, is set for 12:10 p.m. Thursday at the main branch.
-
Countryside, Kalorama gardens celebrating opening weekend
Countryside Gardens, owned by Terry and Jennie O’Rourke, and Kalorama Gardens, owned by Steve and Linda Gard, opened for the season this weekend. Both gardens are in Marshall, Ill. Opening days continue from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.
-
Saturday seminar to bring nationally known genealogists to Ivy Tech
The Wabash Valley Genealogy Society is offering the public a unique opportunity to learn more about the new techniques and methods now available for individuals interested in doing genealogical research on the Internet.
-
Evening Thyme Garden Club to host garden fair at Clark County Fairgrounds
The Evening Thyme Garden Club will present the 15th annual garden fair from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m Saturday at Clark County Fairgrounds in Marshall, Ill., with free parking and admission.
-
Student mentoring program offers one-on-one technology instruction
The Connecting Generations Mentoring Program can help those who would like one-on-one instruction on how to use the Internet or other technology.
-
CULINARY COURSES: Clabber Girl Classroom Kitchen provides variety of cooking courses for the Valley
There are a few taste-bud-tantalizing-perks for having America’s leading baking powder producer in your backyard. For nearly 120 years, Clabber Girl has been a staple in Terre Haute. In 1899, Hulman and Company began offering up what was to become one of the oldest brands in the country, Clabber baking powder. In 1923, the company changed the baking powder brand name to Clabber Girl.
-
CHRIS DAVIES: Keep sodium levels in mind when sweating buckets
Salt, or sodium, is vital to life. Too much or too little sodium can cause all kinds of problems in your body. How much sodium do we need if we are exercising consistently?
-
YOUR GREEN VALLEY: Union Hospital creates community garden
Union Hospital will be opening a community garden on its campus in mid-May. Before they embarked on such a challenge, they looked to their neighbor Indiana State University for advice.
-
TRIED ‘N’ TRUE: Try this when you’ve got to avoid salt
I have a good friend in an assisted living complex. She went to her doctor last winter and he told her she had to leave off the salt. My mother used this when dad couldn’t have any salt.
I like to keep this on hand. In summer when it’s real hot I keep in refrigerator. Keep in an air tight container. -
NEWSMAKER: May 5, 2013
Carolyn Whitcomb Jeffries was installed as president of the State Huguenot Society of Indiana on April 21 at Meridian Hills Country Club of Indianapolis.
-
ANNIVERSARY: Published May 5, 2013
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Abel
Larry and Rose Abel will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.
The couple will have a reception in June. -
ENGAGEMENT: Published May 5, 2013
Nasser-Haynes
Kayla Kristine Nasser and Geoffrey Miller Haynes, both of Terre Haute, were united in marriage on Sept. 22, 2012, at Crosslane Community Church, officiated by Brett Wilson. -
RIVER OF SOUND: Composer sees symphony bring his musical imagination to life
David Watkins smiled as he stood on the Tilson Auditorium stage. The audience stood, too, applauding.
Two of his compositions had just been performed by the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra. Neither piece — “A Wabash Portrait” and “River Fanfare” — had been played publicly in decades. -
GRAPE SENSE: The greatest thing to happen to wine since screw caps
Wine industry innovation has been pretty limited beyond winemaking. Arguably, screw caps and synthetic closures have been the most influential innovations in recent years.
-
TRIED ‘N’ TRUE: Healthy Granola Bars good for everyone
I always liked Granola bars. Also Granola, to eat by handful. Pat Coolley always keeps granola on hand to nibble on. I don’t like raisins so I use dried cherries or cranberries instead. Instead of brown sugar use Splenda or your choice. I also use sugar-free syrup. So my husband, Gene, can eat these bars, too. This recipe comes from Rose Hill Community Church.
-
Marie Cunningham celebrates 95th birthday
Marie K. Cunningham of Terre Haute will celebrate her 95th birthday on May 5, 2013, during an open house from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in the activity room of Cannon Inn.
A party with cake, coffee and punch is planned. -
Engagement: Published April 28, 2013
Royer-Higgins
-
Anniversaries: Published April 28, 2013
Mr. and Mrs. Gene Stephens
Mr. and Mrs. Everett Brown
Mr. and Mrs. Merrill Schroer
-
The Beauties of Spring: Stunning array of wildflowers bloom each spring in Collett Park
Groundskeepers put off the first mowing of Collett Park each spring.
Admirers of the place, Terre Haute’s oldest park, like it that way.
A stunning array of wildflowers covers the 21-acre lawn for a few short weeks. Those plants, known as “spring beauties,” emerge in March, bloom in April and go dormant by May, when the brilliant waves of white and pink flowers disappear. -
YOUR GREEN VALLEY: Intern working to improve city's sustainability
In 2012 officials with the Institute of Community Sustainability at Indiana State University arranged for a meeting with Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett. The meeting resulted in the placement of an unpaid sustainability intern in the Mayor’s office.
-
TRIED ‘N’ TRUE: Make these party potatoes in advance
I always enjoy mashed potatoes. I never thought you could improve them. But this is so good.
- More Valley Life Headlines
-
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Germany Protestors Picket Barbie House
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Officials Arrest Man in Idaho in Terrorism Case
China, Others Want What's Under the Arctic Ice
Raw: Suicide Bomber Kills 2 Americans, 13 Others
Music Therapy Bonds Parents and Preemies
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
Raw: Marines Come to Obama's Aid in the Rain
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
Raw: 6 Die in Russian Ship Fire
Thieves Drain $45M From ATMs in Hours
Raw: Pope Frees Doves From Cage
Coffee Stop Leads To Arrest Of YouTube Sensation Wanted For Murder
Bearded Dragon Reunited With Owner
Marine Reunited with Warzone Companion
Beyonce Is Pregnant!
SF baseball player overpaid $500,000 RETURNS money -- and team says KEEP IT
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
Dad returns from Afghanistan, surprises family during Rays' first pitch
See Jennifer Lopez's New $10m Hamptons Mansion
Woman tricked into taking abortion pill
Emma Watson Goes Pantless
IRS scandal: Republicans seek to tie Obama to agency's woes
Play of the Day: Flipping to Safety
Pregnant Kim Kardashian Squeezes Her Swollen Feet Into Stilettos
Top Videos of the Week: Angry Taco Bell Guy, Glacier Moves on House, Dog Hates Baths
Cindy Crawford Stuns At Cannes
CUTE: Monkey shares lollipop with dog, then HITS pooch on head with it
Miranda Kerr Looks Sexy in a Bikini Photo Shoot
Hatchet-wielding viral video star, once a hero, now a murder suspect
