For the longest time we've had bumblebees swarming along the side of our house. We suspected they had a nest in the fence between us and our neighbor but we didn't know where. A couple of weeks ago we had State Termite come out to spray the perimeter of our house because we were rather infested with tiny biting ants, little German and gargantuan American cockroaches.
The person doing the application did not wear any protective clothing or mask so we figured it wasn't that powerful a spray.
Two weeks later however, we've counted 81 dead black and yellow bumblebees. We're also not seeing any biting ants anymore and very little cockroaches. It's rather surprising how potent that poison was.
My mother is extremely allergic to bee, wasp and ant stings. She can die from it if not treated quickly so it's good that there are no longer any bees to possibly harm her. However, it's sad to see so many of the bumblebees dying, too. I'm wondering now just how strong that poison was and if the fellow doing the application is safe.
My brother has just told me that what we thought were bumble bees were actually carpenter bees who like to bore holes in wood.
It does make you wonder, doesn't it? Bees are dying out all over the U.S. and no one seems to know why. It's kind of scary because that would be a great loss to the ecosystem.
ReplyDeleteit's scary too thinking about the effect of the spray on you yourself...we also have the exterminator spray just the outside of our house and not inside for that reason.
ReplyDeleteYes, docs told a friend that his ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) could have been caused by the pesticides he used around the house and yard. He died within a year of diagnosis. Slow, agonizing paralysis until he could not toilet himself or even scratch his nose!
ReplyDeleteBugs...I also have the outside of my house professionally bug proofed. Yet, Ants seem to make it inside! My cat alerts me whenever something is walking across the floor.
ReplyDeletethat's actually quite sad, pictures haunting...the bee does so much for us, pollinating a big one, you know they are so low now because of all the sprays we use, we are killing them to extinction; and we need them...many farmers suffer because they are no longer around...so sad...I wish we could all find a way to live on this planet together, as one.
ReplyDeleteya, sometimes it's sad when we think about the bees being extinct..
ReplyDeleteI too would question the safety of the worker...seems as if the spray is might poison..However, your mom's health is top priority and how much better you all must feel knowing she is that much safer. I have been meaning to ask if you had taken another photo of KC this summer (like your header)? I just love the words "little dumpling granddaughter"! Have a nice weekend!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on getting rid of the bugs, and I hope most of the bees escaped somewhere (though I wouldn't want bees near my house!)
ReplyDeleteMany years ago I used to research for a non-profit group investigating chemical sensitivity and injury. YES that poor fellow should be completely covered, as you see asbestos workers do. There are number of disorders (especially that attack the nervous system and/or lungs) which research strongly suggests are triggered by exposure to chemical compounds such as used in pesticides and herbicides especially. Most people we worked with complained of vague (but miserable) symptoms such as fatigue, confusion, and blurry vision, but a surprising number had scary diagnoses, especially the lung diseases; many patients were on oxygen.
Then again, it never bothers some people.... but I wouldn't take the chance. If he were my son I'd be saying something to him! LOL
OMG, that guy didn't wear any protective clothing, mask or gloves! Is he crazy!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's so great that you got rid of the bees so your mom would be safe! I'm sure some escaped to another place. :) I hope someone tells that exterminator to wear some protective gear!
ReplyDeleteYes, do have a very nice weekend!
that's worrying about the safety of those pesticides.
ReplyDeleteI´m glad your mother is safer now. That´s scary being so allergic to something.
ReplyDeleteWe get the outside of the house sprayed each year because of a termite invasion. We get the basement inspected also but not sprayed. We've had termites, carpenter ants and camel crickets in great numbers. Really don't like the thought of those chemicals though and hope they will come up with a 'green' alternative one of these days. I have read that bee numbers are declining in Europe also. Without those little guys to pollinate the flowers, we'd in a bit of a sorry state. I am sorry your Mom is so allergic to them. My mother-in-law was too.
ReplyDeleteNo need to worry people.
ReplyDeleteMost pesticides these days are so weak you could almost drink.
This is why the pest man has to now call & spray monthly (if you desire to remain pest-free that is)
Oh for the days when we could just eliminate our pests with a quick squirt of DDT or Arsenic or something that actually, you know, WORKED. (wistful sigh)
Having been stung, I do NOT share the empathy for bees shown above. (Perhaps some of you ladies require a sting sunk into your bottom to bring back some perspective, hehe)
Bees can do all the pollinating they wish, but if they come within cooee of my place, I'll givem 'em the old "phssht, phssht, phssht"